FIRE CHIEF FEELS HEAT SOME WANT BAMATTRE FIRED OVER LAFD ISSUES.

Byline: KERRY CAVANAUGH Staff Writer

Los Angeles Fire Chief William Bamattre and his command staff came under heavy criticism Monday for failing to halt hazing, harassment and discrimination in the department.

Rank-and-file firefighters' leaders called for Bamattre to be fired, a view echoed by some City Council members, while Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa demanded fundamental changes in the department.

The criticism came during a three-hour City Council committee hearing intended as a follow-up to City Controller Laura Chick's scathing audit issued 10 months ago.

Chick, in her remarks to the committee, faulted Bamattre and his commanders for not enforcing the department's zero-tolerance policy on discriminatory conduct during his 10 years as chief.

``The buck stops at the top. The buck stops at the leadership,'' Chick said.

``I have to turn to the department management and say, What's gone on that in 12 years we're still in this same spot, and why hasn't it been fixed? And hold that management accountable for the fact that it hasn't.''

While Chick stopped short of calling for Bamattre's ouster, the outgoing president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles, Pat McOsker, who represents the rank and file, said he wants the chief replaced.

``We have a Fire Department that fosters bullying from the top down,'' McOsker said. ``The message comes down from the top on how to behave and treat each other. The only way to fix this is new leadership.''

Some council members also took aim at Bamattre, although the job of hiring and firing the chief rests with the mayor.

``There is a serious, serious management problem at the top of this department,'' said Councilman Jack Weiss, who heads the City Council's Public Safety Committee and is an ally of Villaraigosa.

``I think significant change is needed quickly in this department's leadership.''

Villaraigosa's office refused to comment about Bamattre, but said inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.

``The mayor believes that we need to fundamentally change the culture at the Fire Department,'' spokesman Matt Szabo said.

Bamattre defended his administration and vowed to complete the department overhaul and stay on the job until his planned retirement in February 2008.

``I've heard a lot of people calling for my head,'' he said, adding, ``There is no person who can ... implement these changes better than I can because I have nothing to gain by these changes.''

Pricey problems

Criticism has intensified since the City Council approved a $2.7 million payout to a black firefighter who filed a racial-discrimination suit after his colleagues and supervisors put dog food in his spaghetti as a prank.

The settlement sparked controversy and Villaraigosa vetoed the agreement, sending the proposal back to the council for another vote, which is scheduled for today.

In the past several weeks, the City Council has approved spending nearly $1 million to settle three firefighter lawsuits alleging age discrimination, retaliation and sexual harassment. And the city could end up paying more to settle a dozen lawsuits and claims filed by firefighters alleging racial discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation for reporting misbehavior.

Chick said the settlements show the severity of the problem.

``If we knew 10 months ago when the audit came out that hazing still took place within the department, what did the department management -- the paid, professional, everyday management -- do to lower the city's liability?

``The worst use of taxpayer dollars is to be spending it on payouts, settlements and lawsuits that could have been prevented.''

Lack of authority

While Bamattre said he accepted responsibility for the department's hazing and harassment problems, he also said he hasn't had the authority to change inappropriate behavior.

Under the City Charter, the chief cannot discipline workers nor can he fire problem employees unless a board of chiefs recommends termination.

Now the LAFD and the civilian Fire Commission are developing a professional standards bureau to investigate complaints. The civilian panel adopted guidelines last week that could result in a minimum one-month suspension or termination for harassment, hazing or discrimination.

Commission President Dalila Sotelo said Bamattre has been helpful and active in department reforms over the past 10 months, and she expects the chief to carry out the board's plans.

``The chief has been a good partner in acknowledging opportunities for improvement,'' she told City Council members. ``The reality is that accountability starts with the chief and we are tasked with holding him accountable and holding his staff accountable for implementation of action plan.''

In January, Chick released an audit that found that weak leadership and a faulty disciplinary system encouraged rampant harassment, hazing and low morale in the LAFD. Her audit followed whistle-blower complaints and Daily News reports about cases of bad behavior directed toward women, African-American and rookie firefighters.

kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com

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