Names and photos of undercover LA cops posted online after being handed over to radical group | US News

A tech watchdog group has published details of undercover police officers online, in a move that has sparked security concerns.

The officers were among more than 9,300 law enforcement officers whose details were given to the Stop LAPD Spy Coalition, which then posted them in a searchable database.

The database includes each officer’s name, race, rank, date of hire, insignia number and department or bureau.

It was unclear how many officials were undercover.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michelle Moore expressed “deep apology” to the undercover officers who were not informed of the news in advance.

“We will look at what steps, or other steps, can be taken to protect our members’ personally identifiable information,” he added.

Ben Camacho, a reporter for The Knock LA, said he filed a request for records last year and filed a lawsuit to obtain the photos.

The city attorney’s office said the agency is legally required to turn over records under California law, but is usually exempt for security or investigative reasons.

“The police have a lot of information about all of us, but they act in secrecy”

But Mr. Camacho said on Twitter that the police department had not previously raised concerns about officer safety when it objected to making the information public.

Late last week, the Stop LAPD Spy Coalition revealed a searchable database of officers’ details, which the coalition says should be used for “counter-surveillance”.

The group added: “You can use this to identify officers who are causing harm in your community.

“The police have a wealth of information about all of us, but their actions are classified.”

Details released for Public Education and Community Awareness

Hamid Khan, organizer of the Stop LAPD Spy Coalition, told Fox News that all information about officers is “public record,” adding that the group released the information “in the service of public education and community awareness.”

The official’s home address is reportedly not on the website.

Concerns over safety of personnel working on “sensitive missions”

Meanwhile, investigations were launched into Mr Moore and Constitutional Police Chief Liz Rhodes after the Los Angeles Police Conservation League – the union representing police officers – filed a misconduct complaint against them over the incident.

In a statement on its website, the coalition said the disclosure “would endanger police officers – especially those on sensitive missions”.

It said it would work to ensure those officers “have access to appropriate security protections to ensure their safety and that of their families,” adding: “The league is working with internal and external legal counsel to promptly assess any allegations of this grave insult to our members.” Judicial remedies “safe”.

Source link