LAPD Officers Sue Claiming They Were Punished For Not Meeting Ticket Quota
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Ten officers with the Los Angeles Police Department are suing the city alleging they were punished for not writing a certain amount of traffic tickets.
The plaintiffs claim their supervisors retaliated against them for refusing to follow orders to meet traffic ticket quotas.
The officers say the punishment includes being denied overtime and getting unfavorable job performance reviews.
The city is saying that ticket quotas are illegal by state law, but this is the second time a lawsuit has been filed in the division over ticket quotas.
The LAPD won't comment on pending litigation, but City Councilman Dennis Zine spoke out to KCAL9.
"This is embarrassing, it's costly, and it shows there's a problem in West Traffic Division, a serious problem that needs to be addressed by police administration," said Zine.
Said longtime traffic school instructor Kenny Morse: "I would have to say that for most police officers they just want to do their job and protect people, but there may be departmental pressures."
Los Angeles resident Nancy Long said she dated a traffic cop for a while and remembers the stories he'd bring home. "Essentially, yes, I believe in it, but I can't really say much, but I'm pretty convinced, she said." "I don't think it's right, but they have to meet their quotas."
In April a jury awarded two veteran traffic officers in the same division $2 million after their claims of retaliation for complaining against ticket quotas.
Zine said the warning signs are all there.
"There are people in command. What are they doing that is creating this problem?" he asked.
KCAL9 reached out to the attorney representing the 10 officers, however he did not respond. That attorney is the same one who represented the two officers who won their case in April.
