EDITORIAL SPECIAL RE-ORDER 40 CITY MUST DEFEND CONTROVERSIAL SANCTUARY POLICY.

SPECIAL Order 40 is about to get a much-needed review. An L.A. Superior Court judge has thrown out an LAPD challenge to block a lawsuit arguing that the policy violates state and federal law.

The order, which prevents officers from asking suspects about their immigration status or turning illegal immigrants in to the feds, has long been controversial. Supporters say it ensures that immigrants will work with police; opponents say it makes life easier for criminals.

Both are right, to a degree. If L.A.'s vast illegal-immigrant population were abjectly scared of the cops, that would lead to further crime and exploitation. But cops should be able use every weapon at their disposal -- including immigration laws -- to fight crime.

Chief William Bratton has tried to reinterpret Special Order 40 to achieve both goals. Perhaps now, this longtime sacred cow of city politics will get the scrutiny it deserves in the courts.