LAPD failed to disclose officer domestic violence allegations to state, hearing reveals – Los Angeles Times

Report on Los Angeles Police Department’s Compliance with State Misconduct Reporting Laws and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Institutional Accountability and Sustainable Development

A recent administrative hearing has revealed a significant delay by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in fully implementing California Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), a law designed to increase police accountability. The department’s failure to report all mandated cases of domestic abuse allegations against its officers for over a year raises critical concerns regarding its commitment to transparency, justice, and the rule of law. This report analyzes the situation through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Legislative Framework and its Connection to SDG 16

Senate Bill 2: A Tool for Building Stronger Institutions

Senate Bill 2, enacted in 2021 with an effective date of January 2023, represents a legislative effort to align law enforcement practices with the principles of SDG 16, which calls for effective, accountable, and transparent institutions. The law mandates that police agencies report credible allegations of “serious misconduct” to the state’s Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) within 10 days. This mechanism is intended to ensure that officers who commit serious offenses can be decertified, thereby strengthening the integrity of law enforcement statewide.

Categories of “serious misconduct” under SB 2 include:

• Excessive force
• Dishonesty
• Sexual assault
• Acts of bias
• Domestic violence

Analysis of Reporting Deficiencies and SDG Implications

LAPD Non-Compliance and its Impact on SDG 16

Testimony from an LAPD sergeant confirmed that the department did not begin reporting all required domestic violence cases until February 2024, more than a year after the law took effect. The department initially followed guidance suggesting that “first-time misdemeanor domestic violence” did not require reporting. This practice was later corrected after consultation with new POST leadership.

This delay directly undermines key targets of SDG 16:

1. Target 16.3 (Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice): The selective reporting of offenses creates a gap in the rule of law, potentially shielding officers from accountability mechanisms that apply to the general public.
2. Target 16.6 (Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions): The failure to adhere to a state-mandated transparency law demonstrates a weakness in institutional accountability, eroding public trust and confidence in the police force.

Implications for SDG 5: Gender Equality

The specific failure to report domestic violence allegations has profound implications for SDG 5, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. By not consistently reporting officers accused of domestic abuse, the institution fails to address a critical form of gender-based violence within its own ranks. This inaction risks perpetuating a culture of impunity and signals that such offenses are not treated with the seriousness they warrant, directly contradicting the objectives of SDG Target 5.2 (Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls).

Case Study: The Hearing of Officer Tawny Ramirez

Case Details and Systemic Revelations

The reporting discrepancy was uncovered during the administrative hearing for fired rookie officer Tawny Ramirez. The LAPD terminated Ramirez for alleged time card fraud and physical assault against her former partner, also an officer. Ramirez has denied all allegations. It was during this proceeding that an LAPD sergeant testified about the department’s delayed and partial reporting practices concerning domestic abuse cases.

The case highlights systemic issues that challenge the achievement of SDGs 10 and 16:

• Lack of Institutional Clarity: Conflicting guidance from the state’s oversight body (POST) led to inconsistent application of the law.
• Delayed Accountability: The year-long delay meant an unknown number of domestic violence cases involving officers were not subjected to state-level review for potential decertification.
• Erosion of Equal Justice: The situation raises questions about whether officers are held to the same legal and professional standards as civilians, a core tenet of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Conclusion: The Path to Enhanced Institutional Integrity

The LAPD’s delayed compliance with SB 2 reporting mandates for domestic violence cases represents a significant setback for police accountability in California. It underscores a critical disconnect between legislative intent and institutional practice. Achieving the goals of peace, justice, and gender equality requires that law enforcement agencies, as pillars of a just society, demonstrate an unwavering commitment to transparency and the rule of law. Full and timely compliance with accountability measures like SB 2 is not merely a procedural requirement but a fundamental necessity for building public trust and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article primarily addresses issues connected to two Sustainable Development Goals:

   • SDG 5: Gender Equality: The core issue of domestic violence is a form of gender-based violence. The article discusses the failure to report “spousal abuse cases,” which is a critical aspect of protecting individuals, particularly women who are disproportionately affected by domestic violence. The case involves a female officer alleging possessive behavior and seeking a restraining order, highlighting the gender dynamics within the conflict.
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This goal is central to the article, which focuses on the failure of a public institution (the Los Angeles Police Department) to be accountable and transparent. The discussion revolves around the implementation of a law (Senate Bill 2), the rule of law, access to justice for the officers involved, and the effectiveness of oversight bodies like the Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training (POST).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The article’s focus on the LAPD’s failure to report “misdemeanor domestic violence” directly relates to this target. Not reporting these incidents undermines efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and protect victims, thereby failing to address a key form of violence.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and local levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The entire article is about the LAPD’s non-compliance with a state law, Senate Bill 2, which mandated the reporting of serious misconduct. This represents a failure to uphold the rule of law. Furthermore, the officer Tawny Ramirez’s situation, where she is “stuck in limbo” while her ex-partner has returned to work, raises questions about equal access to the internal justice and disciplinary processes of the department.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The LAPD’s delay of over a year in fully reporting domestic abuse allegations demonstrates a lack of accountability and transparency. The purpose of SB 2 and the POST commission is to create such an accountable system for law enforcement. The article questions the effectiveness of these institutions when a major department fails to comply with reporting requirements based on verbal guidance.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

   • Number of domestic violence cases reported to the state oversight body (POST): The article explicitly states that the LAPD “did not start reporting certain spousal abuse cases to the state until after… early February 2024.” The number of such cases reported (or not reported) is a direct indicator of compliance and institutional accountability.
   • Number of law enforcement agencies reporting zero cases of serious misconduct: The article provides a specific statistic that serves as an indicator of a potential lack of compliance with the law. It mentions that in 2023, “there were 250-plus law enforcement agencies… that didn’t report a single case of serious misconduct.” This measures the breadth of institutional accountability across the state.
   • Number of officer certifications revoked, surrendered, or suspended: The article provides concrete data on the actions taken by the oversight body, POST. It states, “POST revoked 57 officers’ certification this year, compared to 84 last year. Another 43 officers voluntarily surrendered their certifications, while 77 had theirs at least temporarily suspended.” These numbers are direct indicators of an accountability mechanism in action, measuring the effectiveness of the institution in removing or suspending officers for misconduct.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls.	The number of domestic abuse/spousal abuse allegations against officers that are reported to the state oversight commission (POST).
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law… and ensure equal access to justice for all.	The number of law enforcement agencies that fail to report any cases of “serious misconduct” as required by law (e.g., the 250+ agencies mentioned for 2023).
   	Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.	The number of police officer certifications revoked, surrendered, or suspended by the state oversight body (POST) for serious misconduct.

Source: latimes.com