LAPD PROBE ERUPTS IN BITTER INFIGHTING

POLICE: Chief Parks refuses to cooperate with the district
attorney.

LOS ANGELES - The investigation into one of the worst scandals in LAPD
history degenerated into an embarrassing free-for-all Wednesday after
police chief refused to cooperate with the district attorney.

Chief Bernard C . Parks, criticizing local prosecutors for moving too
slowly in bringing charges against corrupt officers, ordered his
department to withhold information gathered during its own inquiry.

It is the latest and most inflammatory confrontation in a widening
corruption scandal that has tarnished the Police Department and now
threatens to contaminate several other agencies in city and county
government.

The chief's defiance prompted the state Attorney General's Office to
examine the controversy, and the Los Angeles city attorney requested a
special meeting of the city's police commission.

City Council members reacted with outrage, saying the district
attorney and police chief must cooperate to ensure that the
investigation is handled properly.

"I think it sounds absolutely insane," Councilwoman Laura Chick said.
"Certainly we need government agencies working together - not
quibbling, not pointing fingers at each other."

The corruption scandal centers on a group of rogue anti-gang officers
in the department's Rampart division who framed, bullied and sometimes
shot innocent people. At least 29 officers have been relieved of duty,
and dozens of criminal convictions have been overturned.

Veteran undercover officer Rafael Perez was convicted of stealing
cocaine from a police evidence locker. In exchange for a five-year
prison sentence, he identified dozens of fellow cops who he said
abused their power and maintained a code of silence between 1995 and
1998.

The District Attorney's Office has yet to file charges against any
officer implicated in the corruption, fearing that moving too swiftly
could jeopardize cases.

The lack of criminal action against officers has angered Parks, who
invited the FBI to join the investigation several weeks ago without
informing District Attorney Gil Garcetti.

A March 8 letter Parks wrote to the District Attorney's Office notes
the Police Department's desire to bring swift prosecution of officers
accused of misconduct.

The letter also outlined a new approach to the investigation, saying
its top priority will be to give material to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Garcetti contends his office is the lead agency in the
case.

Federal prosecutors last month announced they would join the
corruption investigation by working with both the District Attorney's
Office and police.

Garcetti, who was forced into a November run-off for his seat, said he
will subpoena witnesses and documents if necessary.

"There is no legal authority for the chief to thumb his nose at us and I
can't accept it. I won't tolerate it," Garcetti said at a news conference
Wednesday afternoon.