Pubdate: Wed, 22 September 1999
Source: Bakersfield Californian (CA)
Copyright: 1999, The Bakersfield Californian.
Contact:  PO Box 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302-0440
Website: http://www.bakersfield.com/
Author: Associated Press

SPECIAL BOARD OF INQUIRY TO PROBE ALLEGATIONS OF CRIME BY L.A. POLICE

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Allegations that rogue cops shot unarmed suspects,
planted evidence and lied about it will be scrutinized by a special board of
inquiry, Police Chief Bernard Parks said Tuesday.

The probe also led a judge to suspend an injunction against the 18th Street
gang that barred the gang from gathering. The injunction was based on
declarations by some of the same officers now caught up in the corruption case.

Deputy District Attorney David Demerjian said 15 people have been arrested
for violating the injunction. He claimed the quality of life in the
community will deteriorate as soon as gangs hear it was stayed.

The ending of the injunction -- part of a strategy for controlling gangs'
street activities -- was the latest repercussion of the investigation
focusing on officers working in the Rampart neighborhood.

At the center of the investigation is Rafael Perez, a former Rampart station
narcotics officer convicted of stealing $1 million worth of cocaine from a
police evidence room.

In an effort to obtain a lesser sentence, Perez has talked to investigators,
telling them of suspects being framed for crimes they didn't commit, of
officers lying in court to win convictions and, in some cases, of officers
shooting unarmed suspects, then accusing them of assault.

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