 Listen Now!
(2:56 Minutes)
Additional Features | |
Published on Friday, October 03, 2008
By LA Daily News Staff Writer
Two city officials called Friday for creation of an independent post to monitor the Los Angeles Fire Department to ensure it implements reforms, after years of losing costly lawsuits over sexual and racial harassment.
Councilmen Jose Huizar and Jack Weiss introduced a proposal to go on the March 3 ballot to create an independent assessor to implement the reforms being developed by Fire Chief Douglas Barry to end hazing and harassment.
"The independent assessor will ensure that the reforms Chief Barry is trying to implement are strictly adhered to, and to inform the public if they're not," Huizar said. "We need to put the focus back on the important work our firefighters do on a daily basis."
Weiss called it a matter of accountability.
"The city will save taxpayer money and ensure the discipline is handled appropriately," he said.
Steve Tufts, president of the Unified Firefighters of Los Angeles City, said the union would support the proposal if it goes on the ballot
Read Full Article...
|