HAZING DIES HARD, LAFD INTERIM CHIEF SAYS.Byline: RICK ORLOV Staff Writer Taking steps to curb hazing at fire stations, officials said Monday they are expanding and tightening disciplinary procedures to deal with complaints within the ranks of the Los Angeles Fire Department The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), also known as the Los Angeles City Fire Department to distinguish it from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Los Angeles. . Interim Fire Chief Douglas Barry told the City Council's Public Safety Committee that he believes the department has been chastened chas·ten tr.v. chas·tened, chas·ten·ing, chas·tens 1. To correct by punishment or reproof; take to task. 2. To restrain; subdue: chasten a proud spirit. 3. by media reports in the case of former firefighter Tennie Pierce, an African- American who filed a discrimination lawsuit after dog food was slipped into his dinner. A proposed $2.7 million settlement sparked public outrage and focused attention on horseplay horse·play n. Rowdy or rough play. horseplay Noun rough or rowdy play Noun 1. , pranks and practical jokes in the 3,000-member department. ``Has hazing stopped and will it never happen again? I think we can reduce it to make it a minimal issue, but I can't say it will never happen again,'' Barry said. ``We can get to the point where it will be much less. ``To us, we are addressing the issue, and the clear message I am sending out on that is it will not be tolerated.'' Barry said the department also has adopted procedures similar to the Los Angeles Police Department's to track complaints and ensure they are handled properly. In his suit, Pierce said his supervisors mishandled complaints about his colleagues' prank and reports on the incident were altered. Barry said he is working to replace an informal complaint procedure with a codified cod·i·fy tr.v. cod·i·fied, cod·i·fy·ing, cod·i·fies 1. To reduce to a code: codify laws. 2. To arrange or systematize. policy requiring that all investigations be signed to prevent them from being altered later. Officials said the LAFD LAFD Los Angeles Fire Department LAFD Los Alamos Fire Department LAFD London Association of Funeral Directors (UK) received 425 formal complaints over the last four years and expects that number to increase under the new disciplinary rules Precepts, such as the Code of Professional Responsibility, that proscribe an attorney from taking certain actions in the Practice of Law. Proceedings can be instituted to disbar an attorney who violates the disciplinary rules. . Barry said he has created a task force of LAFD management and employee unions to address issues, including the recruiting and training of more women and minorities. rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com (213) 978-0390 |
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