Los Angeles, CA — A lawsuit lodged by the union representing most Los Angeles Police Department officers against an LAPD commander was recently dismissed by a Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge. The accusations concerned unauthorized access to confidential materials meant solely for lower-ranking officers.
Superior Court Judge Bruce Iwasaki ruled in favor of Commander Lillian Carranza and her co-defendant, Deputy Chief Marc Reina, concluding that the Los Angeles Police Protective League had not successfully demonstrated that the defendants had unlawfully accessed computer data or committed fraud. The legal battle stemmed from Carranza allegedly accessing a union-conducted survey, an action the union claimed extended beyond her authorization level.
Judge Iwasaki noted in his decision that no clear allegation of tangible “damage or loss” suffered by the league due to Carranza’s actions had been presented. Adding another layer to the legal scrutiny, Iwasaki pointed out that the ownership of the survey in question rested with the company Survey Monkey, not the union.
With the dismissal labeled “with prejudice,” the union is barred from filing another lawsuit on the same claim. Carranza, a figure controversial for her vocal stance within the department, opted not to comment on the ruling to weigh her legal options further. Reina, also reserved in his response, has not publicly addressed the dismissal nor his previously held position as president of the Los Angeles Police Command Officers Association.
The conflict traces back to allegations by the league last year, accusing Carranza of posing as a lower-ranking officer to manipulate a survey intended to evaluate supervisors. However, Carranza refuted this in court documents, stating her identity was not concealed upon accessing the system used by both staff and command officers to obtain agency benefits.
This lawsuit unfolded amid escalating tensions between the police union and Carranza, known for her litigation against the department on issues ranging from how female officers are treated to alleged underreporting of crime statistics. Carranza’s stance has made her a polarizing figure, especially after she supported a female captain who pushed for an investigation into an incident of force involving subordinate officers.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League, whose membership comprises a wide range of LAPD personnel from officers to lieutenants, has vocally criticized the perceived lack of accountability among the department’s higher echelons. This includes Carranza, who not only contested for the LAPD chief position earlier this year but has also been a prominent critic within the force.
This lawsuit dismissal turns another page in the ongoing story of internal disputes within one of the country’s largest police departments, reflecting broader issues of leadership, transparency, and union relations within law enforcement agencies. As these dynamics evolve, they further highlight the intricate balance between upholding law enforcement integrity and managing internal discord.
For any inquiries or corrections regarding this article, please contact [email protected].
Please note: This article was automatically generated by AI with the aim to inform and educate. Details may be subject to inaccuracies, ensuing corrections or removal requests can be directed via the provided contact email.