LAPD WATCHDOG NAMED; CORRUPTION BUSTER APPOINTED INSPECTOR.

Byline: Phillip W. Browne Daily News Staff Writer

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Eglash was appointed Friday as the Los Angeles police inspector general, filling a job mired in controversy since late last year.

Eglash, a prosecutor specializing in government fraud and law enforcement corruption, is the second person to hold the position, which was created after the Rodney King videotaped beating in 1991. The Los Angeles Police Commission chose him from three candidates.

``The job is still somewhat in its infancy, but I believe the commission is committed to a strong and independent inspector general,'' he said during a news conference.

``I have expertise in many areas of corruption, but my hope is to avoid interfering in affairs where others are far better qualified to make decisions,'' Eglash said.

``I have a deep respect for law enforcement and justice and will continue that as inspector general,'' Eglash said. ``I will work to gain public confidence that the LAPD is fair, humane and honorable.''

The previous inspector general, Katherine Mader, resigned after accusing the commission of limiting her independence, while the commission contended she was not doing a good job.

Eglash said he is optimistic that he will have enough autonomy to effectively act as a watchdog.

``Only time will tell,'' he said. ``And I believe I have the ability to develop a good working relationship with the commission and the LAPD.''

Police Commission President Edith Perez said he was unanimously selected by the five-member panel and praised him for his ``passion for public service.'' But she also emphasized that the inspector general does not work alone.

``The position should be independent of the (Police) Department, but not independent of the commission,'' she said. ``And the inspector general must have the discretion to realize that.''

Mader resigned in January after months of complaining that she was undermined by the commission and denied the ability to delve into police affairs. She had argued that the position needs greater power and independence, while police officials have resisted reforms they say infringe on the powers of the chief.

Mader had been at odds with Perez and police Chief Bernard C. Parks for months before announcing her resignation.

Since the search to replace Mader began, Deirdre Hill, a former commission president under Chief Willie Williams, had been serving as interim inspector general. Hill applied for the permanent job but did not make the final cut.

Eglash, 38, was one of three finalists for the job that included another assistant U.S. Attorney, Gregory W. Jessner, and Palo Alto attorney Robert Aaronson. Eglash had been with the U.S. Attorney's Office since 1987 and previously served as a prosecutor in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

He was head of the federal public corruption and government fraud section in Los Angeles and in 1990 was an investigator on Operation Big Spender, which probed claims that some Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies had skimmed money from drug busts.

He was also a part of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Violent Crime, which was formed after the 1992 riots to prosecute gangs, he said.

The city created the inspector general position following the 1991 Christopher Commission report, which recommended an independent LAPD watchdog. Eglash's primary responsibilities are to audit, investigate, oversee and review the department's handling of misconduct claims, use-of-force reports, officer-involved shootings, in-custody deaths and corruption.

He will also review decisions made by internal affairs on those matters, according to the commission.

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PHOTO New LAPD Inspector General Jeffrey Eglash introduces himself Friday downtown.

Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News