Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has called for the removal of “obstacles” for new police recruits and has vowed to remove officers that have ties to “right-wing domestic extremist organizations.”
Bass is hoping to diversify the LAPD by finding ways to remove the “obstacles” that stop police recruits who initially fail to qualify for training. In her public safety goals summary, which was released on Fox News Digital, Bass includes a number of police reforms, provisions, and dates by which the departments need to provide progress reports. However, many police union leaders are unsure about whether Bass’ move is correct.
According to one of the provisions, a deputy mayor will need to work with a “third party” to “evaluate the personnel process and identify obstacles to entry for recruits who fail to qualify for training.” Tom Saggau, Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) spokesperson, has said that this particular provision is “dangerous.” He added that having police officers who fail to meet the minimum requirements and then having them join the force could be dangerous. As he points out, if someone failed their physical exam, for example, having them join the office despite their score is a problem.
According to the provision, the recommendations to remove obstacles will also take into consideration the “ethnic groups” that the people come from, especially if people from those “ethnic groups are disproportionately left out of new officer training.”
