COUNCIL BACKS INSPECTOR GENERAL.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Voicing frustration at the continued controversy over the role of the police Inspector General's Office, the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday again insisted the position has to have independence.

While not taking a vote, council members told Los Angeles Police Department and Police Commission members that it wanted the issue resolved quickly.

``What we keep getting is a clarification of a clarification of a clarification,'' Councilwoman Laura Chick complained. ``This started two years ago with the previous inspector general. It is rather mind-boggling that there still seems to be confusion by the department on this.''

The Police Commission this week set up a special subcommittee to look at some of the issues involving privacy for officers and conflicts in investigations by the inspector general and the department.

In the meantime, Police Chief Bernard C. Parks has been working on a memo about the role of officers in dealing with the Inspector General's Office, which some consider an effort to block the work of that office.

City Attorney James Hahn has issued several legal opinions assuring the power of the inspector general to conduct its own inquiries of police procedures.

Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski said she also had grown frustrated with the issue continually returning to the council for review.

``I don't think we need to have a weekly report from the City Attorney's Office on this,'' Miscikowski said. ``We hear from the Police Department words of cooperation . . . but it seems to change once they leave this room.''

The Inspector General's Office was created as part of a series of reforms following the Rodney King beating.