Los Angeles(Thechieftainspear) – New allegations of racism and sexism have surfaced within the Los Angeles Police Department’s Recruiting and Employment Division, sparking an internal investigation that has already led to multiple officers being placed on leave.
The controversy came to light in February after an anonymous complaint, initially filed on Jan. 5, detailed offensive behavior by several officers. The Los Angeles Times reviewed the complaint, which reportedly includes around 90 recorded conversations between March and October, capturing officers and supervisors making discriminatory remarks about colleagues and potential recruits.
The recordings allegedly reveal officers making racist, sexist, and homophobic comments. Among the remarks, one Latina officer was heard making derogatory statements about Black individuals, while a Latino officer reportedly made crude jokes about Black people and stereotypes. An Asian sergeant allegedly mocked a female civilian supervisor’s appearance, making inappropriate comments about Asian women.
As the investigation unfolds, six officers have now been placed on administrative leave, up from the initial four. Among them are Sgt. Denny Jong, Lt. Louis Lavender, Officer Shirley Burgos, Officer Christian Flores, and an officer identified only as McKay.
The complaint suggests that while Lavender, a lieutenant in the unit, may not have actively participated, he allegedly allowed the behavior to continue. One recording reportedly captured him acknowledging the inappropriate discussions, warning colleagues, “You all can bring down the whole department.”
Jong, who played a key role in managing daily operations, is accused of leading much of the discriminatory talk and allegedly permitting officers to veto potential background investigators based on personal biases rather than qualifications.
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The scandal emerges at a time when LAPD is grappling with staffing shortages as it tries to recruit new officers ahead of major events like the Olympics and the World Cup. Newly appointed LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell has expressed concerns over the department’s dwindling numbers, stating that there are currently 1,200 fewer officers than when he last served in the force 15 years ago.
Although the department has vowed to prioritize the investigation, the officer responsible for making the recordings—himself a Latino and a 10-year LAPD veteran—may also be investigated to determine whether the recordings were made legally. His attorney, Greg Smith, defended the recordings, arguing that officers shouldn’t expect privacy while making offensive remarks in a public building while in uniform. The recordings have since been handed over to LAPD’s Inspector General.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who was briefed on the complaint in January, condemned the reported behavior as “outrageous and unacceptable.” She reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring the department modernizes its recruitment and hiring processes, stating, “Officers stuck in the past don’t get to tarnish the badge for everyone else.”
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