Police Misconduct

Muffled discussions about "restoring confidence in the police department" filled a room in the Community Services Building on Wednesday during a public forum. The moderator, Lee Wochner, had a captive audience during introductions of police commissioners and police representatives, but voices rose in volume after the meeting veered from the agenda and moved from introductions to the State of the Police Department by Chief Scott LaChasse. During the much-anticipated public comment period, 13 audience members stepped up to the microphone and relayed a wide range of comments, from harassment complaints, requests for increased cooperation with neighborhood watches, claims of being followed and desires for moving forward after several independent probes into alleged police misconduct.

Note: This is the first of a two-part series. More than a year-and-a-half after Scott Schaffer's release from a 13-month prison sentence for pleading guilty to trading guns for drugs with street-gang affiliates — a conspiracy he maintains he did not commit — the former Burbank cab company owner and City Hall socialite turned pariah found himself back in a downtown Los Angeles federal courtroom Monday, this time over allegations he...

CITY HALL – Against the backdrop of waning support from rank-and-file officers and a frustrated City Council, Burbank Police Chief Tim Stehr on Monday announced his intent to retire effective Dec. 31. The announcement came less than a week after City Councilman David Gordon called on his colleagues to direct the city manager to place Stehr on administrative leave amid an FBI investigation into police misconduct and a growing stack of...

DOWNTOWN – Scott LaChasse, a 32-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department who went on to serve as vice president of security and emergency services at Paramount Pictures Corp., has been named interim police chief for Burbank. LaChasse, who is expected to take over the Police Department Jan. 7, last held the rank of deputy chief, where he commanded nearly 1,600 personnel in South Los Angeles. He takes over a department coping with external probes into police misconduct and several lawsuits filed against the city by current and former officers.

CITY HALL — Burbank Police Chief Tim Stehr on Tuesday said his decision to step down at year’s end was in the best interest of the city and police force. On Monday, Stehr announced his intent to retire effective Dec. 31 amid an FBI investigation into police misconduct and a growing stack of lawsuits against the city. “I am truly looking after the interests of the city and the department to do the right thing,” Stehr said Tuesday. “In light of all the incidents that have occurred, and the controversies that are occurring, I may be a hindrance at this time for the department moving forward and I am doing it for that reason.

CITY HALL — A former federal prosecutor and police department reformer have been hired to assist with litigation and policy issues involving the Burbank Police Department, city officials said Thursday. Former U.S. Atty. in Los Angeles Debra Wong Yang, a member of the Los Angeles Police Commission, and Merrick Bobb, director of the Police Assessment Resource Center, were brought on board as officials prepare to name an interim replacement to the outgoing police chief. Tim Stehr last month announced his intent to retire by year’s end as the city continues to weather a growing stack of lawsuits and external probes into police misconduct.

CITY HALL — In one of his final days as head of the Burbank Police Department, Police Chief Tim Stehr received commendations for his 31 years of service to the city. Mayor Gary Bric on Tuesday presented the outgoing chief with a proclamation before saying how fortunate he was to have worked with him. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Bric said. “It will never be forgotten, and all I can say is ‘thank you.’” Stehr, wearing his Burbank Police Department uniform, fought back tears as City Manager Mike Flad acknowledged the chief’s dedication and resilience, particularly over the last year.

DOWNTOWN — Against the backdrop of an FBI probe into police misconduct and a number of lawsuits claiming internal harassment, the Burbank Police Commission on Wednesday called on city officials to expand its oversight role. Commissioners, citing repeated charges from the public that they are aloof and unproductive, called on the City Council to better define their role, and explore options to increase the scope of their power. As sexual harassment and racial discrimination lawsuits began piling up against the Police Department two months ago, the City Council voted to authorize a more frequent meeting schedule for the commission.

Note: This is the first of a two-part series. More than a year-and-a-half after Scott Schaffer's release from a 13-month prison sentence for pleading guilty to trading guns for drugs with street-gang affiliates — a conspiracy he maintains he did not commit — the former Burbank cab company owner and City Hall socialite turned pariah found himself back in a downtown Los Angeles federal courtroom Monday, this time over allegations he...

Muffled discussions about "restoring confidence in the police department" filled a room in the Community Services Building on Wednesday during a public forum. The moderator, Lee Wochner, had a captive audience during introductions of police commissioners and police representatives, but voices rose in volume after the meeting veered from the agenda and moved from introductions to the State of the Police Department by Chief Scott LaChasse. During the much-anticipated public comment period, 13 audience members stepped up to the microphone and relayed a wide range of comments, from harassment complaints, requests for increased cooperation with neighborhood watches, claims of being followed and desires for moving forward after several independent probes into alleged police misconduct.

DOWNTOWN — An outside investigation into the Burbank Police Department that included allegations of excessive use of force has begun to yield officer discipline notices that could lead to termination. The notices, which come attached with possible disciplinary measures for corresponding misconduct allegations, represent the first significant fallout of the outside investigation initiated by the city nearly a year ago. Officers who have received the notices still have the ability to challenge the findings in a meeting with Police Chief Scott LaChasse, which are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

CITY HALL — Two months after police commissioners called for an expansion of their oversight powers, the City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the appointment of Vice Mayor Anja Reinke to serve as a liaison to the commission to help meet their request. Mayor Gary Bric appointed Reinke to serve as a link between the two groups and develop a list of recommendations to prevent future legal morass. She pledged to work with interim Police Chief Scott LaChasse and law enforcement reformer Merrick Bobb to determine a suitable level of citizen oversight for a department facing a stack of civil lawsuits and probes into police misconduct.

DOWNTOWN – Scott LaChasse, a 32-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department who went on to serve as vice president of security and emergency services at Paramount Pictures Corp., has been named interim police chief for Burbank. LaChasse, who is expected to take over the Police Department Jan. 7, last held the rank of deputy chief, where he commanded nearly 1,600 personnel in South Los Angeles. He takes over a department coping with external probes into police misconduct and several lawsuits filed against the city by current and former officers.

CITY HALL — In one of his final days as head of the Burbank Police Department, Police Chief Tim Stehr received commendations for his 31 years of service to the city. Mayor Gary Bric on Tuesday presented the outgoing chief with a proclamation before saying how fortunate he was to have worked with him. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Bric said. “It will never be forgotten, and all I can say is ‘thank you.’” Stehr, wearing his Burbank Police Department uniform, fought back tears as City Manager Mike Flad acknowledged the chief’s dedication and resilience, particularly over the last year.

CITY HALL — A former federal prosecutor and police department reformer have been hired to assist with litigation and policy issues involving the Burbank Police Department, city officials said Thursday. Former U.S. Atty. in Los Angeles Debra Wong Yang, a member of the Los Angeles Police Commission, and Merrick Bobb, director of the Police Assessment Resource Center, were brought on board as officials prepare to name an interim replacement to the outgoing police chief. Tim Stehr last month announced his intent to retire by year’s end as the city continues to weather a growing stack of lawsuits and external probes into police misconduct.

CITY HALL – A former federal prosecutor and police department reformer have been hired to assist with litigation and policy issues involving the Burbank Police Department, city officials said in a statement Thursday. Former U.S. Atty. in Los Angeles Debra Wong Yang, a member of the Los Angeles Police Commission, and Merrick Bobb, director of the Police Assessment Resource Center, were brought on board as officials prepare to name an interim replacement to the outgoing police chief.