LAPD Inspector General Acted in Good Faith, Commission Says

Addressing a complaint from police union officials, the Los Angeles Police Commission has determined that Inspector General Katherine Mader “acted in good faith” when she released to a judge the confidential personnel file of an officer who had been convicted of domestic violence.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League had complained to the commission that Mader overstepped her authority and violated state confidentiality laws when she recently sent the personnel records to the judge.

Although the commission stood behind Mader’s actions, the panel informed the union in a Dec. 11 letter that it has refined its policies to require commission approval before any such information is released by the inspector general, or any other commission employee.

“We believe the corrective action we have taken is appropriate and will provide the desirable checks and balances,” the commission wrote in the letter to union officials.

Mader sent the judge the personnel records after she learned that Officer Steven Markow had successfully petitioned the court to modify his domestic violence conviction so he would not be subject to a new federal law that prohibits anyone found guilty of domestic abuse from carrying a firearm.

The records Mader sent the judge showed that the officer had been under investigation by the department for another allegation of domestic abuse at the time he filed the petition. Sources said Mader thought she had an obligation to inform the court about that matter.

Dave Hepburn, president of the Protective League, said the union is reviewing the commission letter and considering what further action, if any, it may take.

“The incident highlights the delicate balance between her authority in the City Charter and the confidentiality afforded peace officer personnel records,” the commissioners’ letter stated.