The Los Angeles Police Department is currently investigating one of its officers accused of fondling a corpse while responding to a call about a woman who was possibly dead in a residential unit with his partner.
Reports say the officer turned off his body-worn camera before allegedly fondling the deceased woman’s breasts when his colleague officer went to get something from the patrol car.
According to the LA Times, although the camera was turned off before the incident, it was captured by the two-minute buffer on the device.
LAPD officer Jeff Lee is quoted as saying: “The department is aware of the incident and an internal investigation has been launched.”
Assistant Chief of LAPD Robert Arcos also reportedly told the LA Times the recording was “very disturbing.”
The allegation has so appalled the police department that aside from the incident in question, it is also investigating the officer’s work history to figure out if it is his habit.
Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents rank-and-file cops did not mince words at all in expressing disgust at the incident.
“If this allegation is true, then the behaviour exhibited by this officer is not only wrong, but extremely disturbing, and does not align with the values we, as police officers, hold dear, and these values include respect and reverence for the deceased,” the board of directors said in a statement. “This behaviour has no place in law enforcement.”
The Los Angeles Police Protective League has disowned the errant police officer, saying it will not defend him in any likely criminal charges.
President of the League Craig Lally is quoted as saying: “We will not defend this individual in any criminal proceeding.”
Source :ghanaweb.com
