Judge Gary Feess releases LAPD from consent decree with US Department of Justice

Los Angeles Police Department Noting that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) had made substantial reforms, U. S. District Judge Gary Allen Feess ruled on Friday that LAPD be released from an eight-year-long consent decree with the U. S. Department of Justice - the settlement was essentially aimed at reducing corruption and police brutality.

It was in the year 2001 that the consent decree was initiated, following almost a decade that included incidents like the Rodney King beating in 1991 and the Rampart corruption scandal. Such episodes saw allegations being leveled against police officers that they were not only involved in stealing illegal drugs; but they also framed gang members; and committed extortion.

The ruling by Judge Feess - which includes the condition that the court will keep jurisdiction over the agreement - reflects the court's approval to a proposed transition agreement, which requires the LAPD to report on its reform progress to the Los Angeles Police Commission.

The move to bring an end to the consent decree was backed by Chief William J. Bratton, who opined that the agreement had become redundant, along with being an added financial liability.

According to Mary Brady, a spokeswoman for Chief Bratton, the Chief was "very pleased with the judge's decision and agrees that primary oversight of the department should now be the responsibility of the police commission and the office of the inspector general."