Moving Prosecutor’s Office Urged
A consultant has advised moving the Torrance city prosecutor’s office out of the Police Department building, cautioning that its presence there presents a conflict of interest.
Torrance police officials oppose the move, saying the current setup is more efficient.
The recommendation is part of a management review of the city attorney’s office conducted by the Los Angeles consulting firm of Ernst & Young.
The city prosecutors “are not providing legal advice to the Police Department, but their proximity indicates otherwise,” states the review, which was discussed by the City Council on Tuesday night. The consultant suggests housing the city prosecutor within the city attorney’s office, on the third floor of City Hall. The Police Department is in a nearby building in the Civic Center complex.
City Atty. Kenneth L. Nelson told the council that he supports moving the city prosecutor to his office, but warned that it may not be feasible because there is “a very serious squeeze for space” at City Hall.
The council took no action on the proposal but did move ahead with some other recommendations, including creating a new position of legal office manager.
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