COMPLAINTS UP ABOUT LAPD STAFF.

Byline: Dan Laidman Staff Writer

The Los Angeles Police Department recorded more complaints against its employees in 2005 than in previous years, a rise officials attributed Tuesday to better reporting.

Members of the public, other city and law-enforcement personnel and the department's own staff filed 6,520 complaints against LAPD employees last year, up from 6,471 in 2004 and 5,276 in 2003.

But LAPD officials told the Police Commission that figures from previous years were artificially low, and they see the rise as a sign that efforts to probe each complaint are succeeding.

``The increase in complaints is not a bad thing but a more accurate reflection of the number of complaints that exist,'' Internal Affairs Cmdr. Eric Lillo said.

Of 5,634 complaints investigated and closed out in 2005, 1,176 were sustained, resulting in 320 suspensions and 101 employees being discharged, removed or transferred, according to an LAPD report.

Commissioners questioned why an employee would be transferred if a serious allegation was found to have merit. Lillo said most of the transfers involved civilian employees sent to a different city agency.

``That's kind of alarming,'' Commissioner Alan Skobin said.

The commissioners asked for more data on the transfers and some other aspects of the complaint data, but accepted the explanation of LAPD officials that the annual increase reflects better reporting.

The most common complaint was neglect of duty, a category in which 444 of 2,934 allegations were sustained. Investigators sustained 305 of 2,416 unbecoming-conduct complaints, 19 of 1,156 for unauthorized force and 47 of 274 for false statements.

Department officials also said the 6,520 complaints should be considered in light of the total number of contacts LAPD employees have with members of the public each year - a number they estimated at several million.

Chief William Bratton said he ordered an audit in 2003 because it seemed there were too few complaints.

``What began the process was what was thought to be a good-news story,'' the chief said.

The audit involved undercover officers pretending to be members of the public trying to lodge complaints against the LAPD.

``We found that a large percentage of the complaints were not being taken,'' Lillo said. ``The importance of taking all complaints has been emphasized, and, as a result, the subsequent audits have indicated very high compliance.''

The department has also informed the public about the complaint process at community meetings and ensured that forms are available at all stations, Lillo said.

Dan Laidman, [phone]

dan.laidman(at)dailynews.com