COUNCIL APPROVES $426,000 SETTLEMENT FOR LAPD OFFICER FIRED FOR MISCONDUCT.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

For the Los Angeles City Council, the decision to pay more than $426,000 to a fired LAPD sergeant came with a feeling of disgust.

But for Roger Gibson, the former officer fired 14 years ago and involved in legal actions against the city ever since, it was a matter of vindication.

``It was tough, but I'm a fighter,'' Gibson said in a telephone interview from his Canyon Country home after being told the council would drop its legal fight. ``They didn't really have a choice. I'm not sure I'll believe it until I get the check.''

The payment to Gibson, which includes awarding him his pension with 20 years of credit, was abhorrent to the council, which voted 8-3 Friday to approve the payment. Earlier this week, the council deadlocked over making the payment.

``We all agree this is disgusting,'' council President John Ferraro said. ``But we don't have a real choice.''

Gibson was fired in 1982 on 13 counts of misconduct, including insubordination and filing a false report. He also admitted to being part of a sex party while on duty.

Gibson also was accused - but never criminally charged - with being part of a burglary ring of officers out of the Hollywood Division.

After being fired, he sued the city in a claim that his civil rights had been violated because the city failed to provide him with documents that he said would have proved his innocence.

A federal court jury awarded him $2.86 million in a 1988 finding that he had been denied due process in his firing.

The city appealed and was able to get the award reduced in 1988 to the $426,000 figure, plus interest. Gibson also won the right to receive pension benefits for 20 years of service, even though he was a Los Angeles Police Department officer for only 16 years. Gibson paid $10,000 into the pension system to get credit for the additional four years.

Since his dismissal, Gibson said he has lived a quiet life, starting his own cabinet-making business.

He remains bitter because he said his name was unjustly linked to the Hollywood burglary ring.

``Now, when something like this comes up, it brings back all the bad memories,'' he said.