Another day, another
LAPD official going before the cameras trying to polish the badge so to
speak. This time it was Deputy Chief Mark Perez, head of what's
called the "Professional Standards Bureau'.
By all accounts a fine man,
Perez was the SME (subject matter expert) in LAPD parlance on the controversial Board of Rights process that led
to Christopher Dorner's firing and ultimately, his homicidal
carnage. Perez was served up, so to speak, because the police
wanted to provide someone to clarify the ''misinformation'' out there that's
been reported post Dorner about the Board of Rights process.
When it was my
turn, I asked the Deputy Chief what ''misinformation'' the department wanted to clarify.
His answer was ''that the system is someone skewed or unfair."
Well, here's the deal: That isn't ''misinformation." That's the opinion of many officers who've come forward to us and in
particular to our legal analyst Robin Sax, to say--in layman's terms--they
were screwed in the Board of Rights hearing. But in the LAPD's eyes, news
organizations trying to responsibly analyze these claims are guilty of
spreading ''misinformation'' as if we were some cold war CIA backed black
ops group telling the Russians we were going to invade, say, England in
order to get them to divert resources to protect it while we were secretly
planning to invade, say, Fuji? You get the idea.
Anything that is
contrary to their official stance is ''misinformation." Well at least
they're watching the news when they're not making it.
At any rate,
Perez admirably and clearly answered any and all questions patiently and as
fully as he could, and now we know what we already knew, that the LAPD
believes it's disciplinary system is fair, unbiased and well thought out--A
system, ironically, that was put in place in the '30s specifically to be fair
to officers who were victimized by corrupt LAPD brass that could basically fire
anyone it wanted to for basically any reason.
Traffic tickets don't really cut it, and
having said all the above, I also want to say that I sincerely appreciate every
cop out there who puts his life on the line to protect us every day. I'm just
making the point that no organization is perfect which, to its credit, the
LAPD readily admits.
Seeking to toughen the allowable alcohol limit for drivers, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling on states to lower the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) to 0.05 or lower from the current 0.08.
Seeking to toughen the allowable alcohol limit for drivers, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling on states to lower the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) to 0.05 or lower from the current 0.08.
Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell.
Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell.
People who follow the ancient practice of yoga may be getting an added health boost, with a new study suggesting it can fight high blood pressure -- also known as hypertension.
People who follow the ancient practice of yoga may be getting an added health boost, with a new study suggesting it can fight high blood pressure -- also known as hypertension.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:01:11 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:44:14 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:15:21 GMT
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:00 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:00:29 GMT
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police.
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police. Andrea Rebello's family followed the pastor Wednesday as he led her white cloth-draped coffin to the altar at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:34 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:34:01 GMT
A bear with a tag on its right ear wandered around in a neighborhood in Sun Valley for more than an hour today before being tranquilized by fish and game personnel.
A bear with a tag on its right ear wandered around in a neighborhood in Sun Valley for more than an hour today before being tranquilized by fish and game personnel.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:11 AM EDT2013-05-23 06:11:46 GMT
The World's #1 DJ & five time number one position holder in the critically acclaimed DJ Mag's Top 100 poll, Armin van Buuren is a Dutch Electronic Dance Music Artist.
The World's #1 DJ & five time number one position holder in the critically acclaimed DJ Mag's Top 100 poll, Armin van Buuren is a Dutch Electronic Dance Music Artist. Armin sat down with FOX 11's Pablo Pereira recently to talk about his passion for music and his new album, 'Intense'.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:40 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:40:57 GMT
Pope Francis' obsession with the devil has taken on remarkable new twists, with a well-known exorcist insisting Francis helped "liberate" a Mexican man from four different demons.
Pope Francis' obsession with the devil has taken on remarkable new twists, with a well-known exorcist insisting Francis helped "liberate" a Mexican man from four different demons, despite the Vatican's insistence that no such papal exorcism took place.
Pretty soon, just about everything we do on the Web will be logged, analyzed, and used for things outside of our control. Here are some ways to help stop that.
Pretty soon, just about everything we do on the Web will be logged, analyzed, and used for things outside of our control. Here are some ways to help stop that.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:34 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:34:01 GMT
A bear with a tag on its right ear wandered around in a neighborhood in Sun Valley for more than an hour today before being tranquilized by fish and game personnel.
A bear with a tag on its right ear wandered around in a neighborhood in Sun Valley for more than an hour today before being tranquilized by fish and game personnel.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:52 PM EDT2013-05-22 18:52:33 GMT
Wendy Greuel had a light moment with the media as well as serious and sometimes emotional ones as she officially conceded the Mayor's race to Eric Garcetti.
Wendy Greuel had a light moment with the media as well as serious and sometimes emotional ones as she officially conceded the Mayor's race to Eric Garcetti.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:42 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:42:08 GMT
When tragedy strikes - like the tornado in Oklahoma, USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) Teams are called to help from all over the country. In fact, the USAR Team from LA City Fire is ready to go on 2 hours notice.
When tragedy strikes - like the tornado in Oklahoma - USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) Teams are called to help from all over the country. In fact, the USAR Team from LA City Fire is ready to go on 2 hours notice. They have thirteen K9s trained to sniff out victims under rubble. Seven are ready to travel on a moment's notice.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:25 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:25:19 GMT
Far-reaching legislation to grant a chance at citizenship to millions of immigrants living illegally in the United States cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a solid bipartisan vote.
Far-reaching legislation to grant a chance at citizenship to millions of immigrants living illegally in the United States cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a solid bipartisan vote Tuesday night.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:23:54 GMT
A scant turnout is expected Tuesday when voters choose between two City Hall regulars who failed to bring much sparkle to the contest to succeed Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who exits office July 1.
A scant turnout is expected Tuesday when voters choose between two City Hall regulars who failed to bring much sparkle to the contest to succeed Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who exits office July 1 after two up-and-down terms.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:12:30 GMT
FBI officials say a joint task force has taken down at least a dozen senior members of the 18th Street gang in a series of early morning raids. The suspects have been arrested for numerous charges.
FBI officials say a joint task force has taken down at least a dozen senior members of the 18th Street gang in a series of early morning raids. The suspects have been arrested for numerous charges.