GEORGIA OFFICIALS WARY OF COP'S SEX LAWSUIT.

Byline: KERRY CAVANAUGH Staff Writer

Officials in Georgia are awaiting the outcome of a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against an LAPD deputy chief who was hired to head their police department less than two months ago.

Michael Berkow, now chief of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department, admitted to an affair with a subordinate as he responded to a suit alleging he'd traded sex for promotions while on the Los Angeles Police Department command staff.

``We have discussed our situation with the police chief,'' Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson said Thursday during a City Council meeting, adding that the city will support Berkow pending the outcome of the lawsuit.

Berkow was hired by the LAPD in 2003 by Chief William Bratton, a close friend and ally, and was named to head the agency's Internal Affairs Department. He has since been named as a defendant in at least 10 lawsuits against the LAPD alleging harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Los Angeles leaders said they want to be sure admissions Berkow made in a court deposition and his other behavior are carefully vetted.

``I have talked about this matter with Chief Bratton, and it is clear to me that Chief Bratton understands how serious it is and that the chief is committed to thorough investigation with no favoritism,'' said Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss, who heads the council's Public Safety Committee.

``They need to investigate whether he conducted himself in an appropriate manner while in a command position and, if so, if that had an impact on internal investigations or criminal investigations.''

Berkow's admissions were contained in depositions for a lawsuit filed by LAPD Sgt. Ya-May Christle, who said women in the department were promoted or received favorable treatment for having sexual relationships with Berkow.

After Christle complained about Berkow to the LAPD's inspector general, she was demoted from sergeant to detective, she said.

Christle also said she was retaliated against when she filed a complaint that her computer containing evidence in the killing of rapper Christopher Wallace -- better known as Notorious B.I.G. -- was confiscated.

In October, Berkow was questioned in the case by Christle's attorney, Bradley Gage.

According to a transcript of the deposition, Berkow admitted he had a three-year affair with an officer assigned to Internal Affairs who reported directly to him. He also admitted he supervised another woman with whom he'd had a sexual relationship before he joined the LAPD. In a statement to Savannah officials, Berkow apologized for the affair, which he said occurred while he was having marital problems.

L.A. leaders said they were troubled by the Berkow case, especially since many in the department were aware that Berkow kept a bed in his office, both when he was Bratton's chief of staff and later when he ran the Professional Standards Bureau.

``If you allow things to go where people felt a comfort level that a deputy chief could be sleeping in his office and that didn't evoke concern, there's something wrong,'' said Councilman Bernard Parks, a former LAPD chief. ``It took an employee who felt injured to bring this forward.''

Gage said Thursday the LAPD must explain why Christle's complaints, which reached the inspector general's office in February, haven't been addressed quickly, as required by a federal consent decree.

``As far as we can tell, the LAPD never took action,'' Gage said. ``He has claims against his right-hand-man. Where is Bratton? Why isn't he taking action?''

Bratton and the LAPD have said the allegations and Berkow's admission are being investigated. In addition, LAPD officers have named Berkow in at least 10 lawsuits. As head of the PSB, he investigated and punished officer misconduct.

kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com

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