LAFD problems

[zzyzx]

I can't believe the LA Times puts chickenshit stuff like this on the front page....

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/04/la-fire-department-audit.html

City audit faults L.A. Fire Department's disciplinary process

April 15, 2010 | 6:00 am

Despite repeated vows to reform the way it handles costly discrimination and misconduct complaints, the Los Angeles Fire Department relies on a disciplinary system plagued by poor documentation, uneven punishment and a lack of clear guidelines, according to a city audit.

The allegations outlined in the 220-page report mirror findings that have been raised repeatedly in city audits dating from 1994.

The cases cited in the study occurred between late 2007 and last year -- after Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and top fire officials vowed to change department culture in the wake of legal payouts that had cost taxpayers millions of dollars to settle claims of harassment, retaliation and discrimination.

The audit, conducted by the Fire Commission's office of independent assessor, credited the department with making improvements but noted that it has a way to go to address longstanding problems in its investigative process. The report was presented Tuesday to the Fire Commission.

Among the problem cases cited in the latest audit:

•A firefighter told two Jewish firefighters, "I'll stick you in an oven," and later pushed a firehouse bench toward one of the men after he filed a discrimination complaint. A station captain failed to take action after being told of the comments, and department investigators failed to fully investigate the incident involving the bench.

•A firefighter used a racial epithet in front of several firefighters who were having dinner with an African American colleague after a department golf tournament. The firefighter should have received time off but was only issued a written reprimand.

•Department investigators engaged in alleged misconduct when serving a subpoena for confidential medical records during a disciplinary probe. The audit recommended that the department immediately stop seeking investigative subpoenas, a practice that exposes the city to legal liability, until a formal policy is written.

•An off-duty paramedic was caught by police with a prostitute in his car as the two appeared ready to engage in a sexual act. Department investigators conducted a cursory interview and failed to file adequately researched reports. In the end, the paramedic received six days off.

Battalion Chief Ronnie Villanueva said in an interview Wednesday that the department acknowledged the problems outlined in the audit and is working with the Fire Commission to reform its investigation and disciplinary system.

"We embrace the report," said Villanueva, a department spokesman. "We need to change the way we do business. We need to improve our process."

-- Robert J. Lopez

[HERBIE1]

Sounds to me like the city is positioning itself to justify possible lay offs, pay cuts, and budget slashing. Nothing new- politics.

[Dustdevil]

I can't believe the LA Times puts chickenshit stuff like this on the front page....

While I agree that this doesn't strike me as front page material in a city as big as LA, I'm curious as to what you find wrong with the story. Being half a continent away, I lack the perspective to see a problem with it.

[FireMedic65]

LA has a lot more problems than this when it comes to FD.... but we won't get into that. One of these days firefighters will get knocked down a few pegs and realize they aren't king shit and start having to deal with things like the rest of us emergency responders do.

[zzyzx]

FYI, I meant to post this on the news discussion board; not sure why it ended up here.

What do I find wrong with this article? Is it really such a big deal that, in a department as big as LAFD, there was an incident of one person insulting another and pushing a bench towards him, or someone saying a racial epithet (though apparently not directed at anyone) and not being suspended for it, etc? This stuff happens in any large organization. Apparently the LA Times thinks anything related to criticism of LAFD or LAPD is big news. When I read the headline and saw it on the front page, I thought that there was some big scandal brewing.

Dust, I'm sure you'll disagree with me.

[FireMedic65]

The media is a shit stirrer.

[Dustdevil]

Not disagreeing at all. I just wanted to clarify exactly what it was you were protesting. There were a lot of issues raised by the article, so I wasn't sure.

Right or wrong, the media loves race-baiting, and this story delivers that.