2 Lawyers Backed for Police Commission

Two attorneys seeking to join the Los Angeles Police Commission received the unanimous endorsement of a City Hall committee on Monday and are expected to be confirmed for the jobs later this week.

Criminal defense attorney Gerald Chaleff and environmental attorney Dean Hansell were approved for appointment by the three-member Public Safety Committee after a series of questions concerning their potential roles as commissioners.

Hansell, in response to a question about his priorities for the 12,000-employee department, said he planned to focus on the issues of excessive force, discrimination, morale, technology and the implementation of Christopher Commission reforms.

Chaleff, who represented Angelo Buono--the notorious “Hillside Strangler”--was asked about potential conflict-of-interest issues and whether mayor-appointed commissioners can maintain their independence. He said he would recuse himself from department matters that might conflict with his work as an attorney, but added that he thought such occasions would be rare.

Additionally, Chaleff said the mayor has appointed him to other city commissions in the past and has never asked him to vote in a particular way or change his position on any matter.

“I do what I believe is right, not what other people tell me do,” he said.