To the editor: There are two offenses right here (“LAPD officer who recorded colleagues’ racist, homophobic comments may face criminal case,” July 9).
Probably the most offensive, to me, are the racist, sexist and homophobic feedback made by the officers, which have been secretly recorded by Officer Daniel Flores and turned over to his superiors. The second and lesser offense, to me, is that the recording was allegedly made in violation of the California Invasion of Privateness Act.
Flores maintains that his recordings got here as a part of a “lawful investigation as a police officer.”
The so-called “blue code” or “blue wall of silence,” the unwritten rule about not reporting fellow officers’ unhealthy acts, is well known as a serious barrier to police accountability, eroding public belief.
Officer Flores is already suspended with out pay. He’s outed to his fellow officers whose adherence to the “blue code” could properly put him in peril of retaliation for his perceived disloyalty.
Quite the opposite, I imagine he’s upholding the next customary of loyalty to the integrity and trustworthiness of the Los Angeles Police Division by reporting such language spoken on the job. Within the privateness of the locker room? That shouldn’t be a suitable place for such language. Actually, beliefs alongside the strains spoken by these officers, as soon as broadcast to others on the job, disqualify them from honorable service within the division.
We have to assist increased requirements. How else will individuals realize it’s not acceptable and rethink their positions?
I say, “Bravo, Officer Flores.”
Dan Brumer, Encino
