VETERAN LAPD OFFICER IS HELD IN DRUG STING

A 35-year veteran Los Angeles police officer was arrested Thursday for
possession of a small amount o heroin he stole during a sting operation set
up after the officer's colleagues reported suspicions about him, police said.

Narcotics Detective Richard Ginelli was jailed for possession of a
controlled substance and held on $10,000 bail, Police Chief Bernard Parks
announced in an evening news conference.

"The sting involved placing some narcotics at a location to see if he
booked the full amount," said Parks, who has known Ginelli for 24 years.

Parks said the arrest of Ginelli, who worked in the Harbor Division, was
unrelated to the corruption investigation that has turned up allegations of
abuses in the Rampart Division's anti-gang unit.