CITY PLANS TO BEEF UP LAPD WATCHDOG.

Byline: Deborah Sullivan Daily News Staff Writer

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved proposals Tuesday to strengthen the autonomy of the Police Commission inspector general, despite concerns of some council members that the new powers might go too far.

The recommendations include granting the inspector general unrestricted access to information within the Los Angeles Police Department and the ability to start investigations without commission approval. However, a majority vote of the commission could end any investigation.

The guidelines also would allow the inspector general to release uncensored reports to the public. And they suggest strengthening the inspector general's power to ensure confidentiality of officers or witness who provide information in investigations. Any interference with complaints should be branded police misconduct, the recommendations advise.

The City Attorney's Office was directed to report to the council's Public Safety Committee by Jan. 13 on how to achieve those changes through council action, a ballot measure or a change in the City Charter. The office also was asked to consider any potential legal problems caused by such changes.

``It was always my intention to get guidance from the city attorney on what we can do, what we can't do and why, and how we can best get to where we want to go, which is shoring up the position of inspector general,'' said Councilwoman Laura Chick, chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee.

On the issue of confidentiality, Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg cited a case in which a sergeant complained to the inspector general about public comments made by the chief. Commission Executive Director Joe Gunn somehow received the letter, dismissed the complaint and forwarded it to the chief, she said.

Gunn could not be reached for comment.

The council approved a request by Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas that the Police Commission investigate the allegation and report back in 14 days on the handling of that incident and similar complaints.

Commissioner Gerald Chaleff said he was unaware of the incident, but said the commission strongly endorses the confidentiality of police complaints. But he disagreed with several other council recommendations.

``You may have a problem if you make the inspector general able to initiate their own investigations and publish them without any review,'' Chaleff said.

Police Chief Bernard C. Parks has warned that granting such power could imperil law enforcement. Last week, Parks complained in a letter to the council that the recommendations ``would go far beyond oversight of the department's administration of discipline and severely encroach on the Chief of Police's chartered responsibility to provide for the safety of this community.''

Despite the unanimous vote in favor of the recommendations, some council members voiced similar concerns.

``I support an inspector general, but not to the point where it's autonomous and above the commission it works for,'' said Councilman Hal Bernson.

Chick and Goldberg said, however, that the recommended changes would better balance the power. Goldberg said the inspector general's role in ensuring the fairness of the disciplinary process would complement, not erode, police authority.