October 16, 2000

3:23 PM

LA Cop shot Notorious B.I.G.?!While I hope justice will be served, I can only pray that this does not come to be the case. LA is already spooked about the police force. This could start another riot.

Just another day in Southern California. Sigh.
posted by Brilliantcrank (3 comments total)

By the way, sorry for so many Salon links recently. They have just had some interesting stories.

Now, talk amongst yourselves...
posted by Brilliantcrank at 3:24 PM on October 16, 2000

All those LAPD articles were excellent. I'm particularly interested in hearing more about the Rampart scandal...anyone got links for me?
posted by Succa at 3:50 PM on October 16, 2000

Oh, yeah.

There's stuff about Rafael Perez the gang unit cop who first sang about the whole thing in order to get immunity for himself. Included in this story are transcripts of his interrogation by LAPD detectives.

A little bit on Kevin Gaines, the guy whose death triggered the whole Rampart scandal investigation.

While I don't live in Los Angeles proper, this whole thing still scares the hell out of me. Police are supposed to protect and serve, right? The idea that you must become your prey in order to catch it (the apparent motto of the LAPD's gang unit) does not bode well for civilization.

Not that Santa Monica's police department is squeaky clean...
posted by RakDaddy at 8:16 PM on October 16, 2000