LAPD watchdog pushes for more transparency amid outcry over officers’ alleged racist remarks

They are the civilian bosses of the Los Angeles police, tasked with oversight of the department, yet members of the Police Commission say they’ve been left in the dark recently about high-profile incidents — including an occasion when officers allegedly made racist and sexist remarks about new recruits that spurred searing condemnation. Rasha Gerges Shields, the commission’s vice president, asked for “greater visibility” about disciplinary matters during the commission’s weekly meeting at police headquarters, citing her concerns about the comments allegedly made by officers from the LAPD’s recruitment and employment division. The remarks, which officers allegedly made while working with recruits, drew censure from the commission, the police union, activists and Mayor Karen Bass, who called them “especially outrageous and unacceptable.” The exact content of the remarks, which Police Chief Jim McDonnell said had been recorded, has not be released. Gerges Shields said she would like the commission’s executive director, Django Sibley, to work with the department to ensure greater visibility around the LAPD’s handling of disciplinary matters, without going into detail about her expectations. Gerges Shields said she wanted the department to explain its decision-making in another case that had gained traction on social media in which department officials recommended against disciplining an officer who was caught on video calling a citizen a “Black fool.” Gerges Shields said she and some of her colleagues “feel like that’s not the appropriate result.” During the public comment period of Tuesday’s meeting, William Gude, a prominent police watchdog who uses the online handle @FilmThePoliceLA, confirmed that the “Black fool” comment was made toward him.