Which Way, L.A.?

LAPD Votes to Withhold Names of Police Officers

In 1979, LA police officers shot and killed Eulia Love, a South Los Angeles housewife who was complaining about her gas bill and was armed with a knife. After public outcry, the civilian Board of Police Commissioners, which overseas the department, adopted a policy of releasing the names of officers involved in police shootings. Now, 25 years later, Mayor Villaraigosa's Police Commission has reversed that policy, first in a secret vote two months ago and again, more publicly, this week. The Board says concealing the names is the best way to guarantee openness and transparency. We learn more about public accountability and try to unravel what sounds like a paradox in the reading of state law.