Traci Park's ties to LAPPL are a threat to police accountability in LA

City Councilmember Traci Park has positioned herself as a leader committed to public safety and community well-being. However, her close ties to the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL)—the union representing over 8,000 rank-and-file LAPD officers—raise serious concerns about her ability to prioritize accountability and reform. During her 2022 campaign, Park accepted nearly half a million dollars in contributions from the LAPPL, a union notorious for protecting abusive officers and resisting efforts to hold police accountable. This financial relationship calls into question Park’s independence and her willingness to challenge a powerful organization that has consistently undermined efforts to address misconduct within the LAPD.

The LAPPL’s influence on Park’s campaign is particularly troubling given the union’s track record of defending officers accused of excessive force, sexual harassment, and other forms of misconduct. By accepting such substantial support from the LAPPL, Park has effectively tied herself to an organization that prioritizes shielding bad actors over ensuring justice and transparency. This raises alarming questions about whose interests she truly represents: those of her constituents or those of a union that has repeatedly shown itself to be an obstacle to meaningful police reform.

The Sanchez Case: A Stark Example of the LAPPL’s Toxic Influence

The LAPPL’s role in protecting abusive officers and silencing whistleblowers is vividly illustrated by the case of Captain Silvia Sanchez, a veteran LAPD commander who faced retaliation for holding officers accountable for misconduct. In March 2022, two LAPD officers responded to a 911 call about a fight on Los Angeles’ Eastside. According to their report, they detained a 16-year-old girl “without force” on suspicion of domestic violence. However, when Sanchez reviewed the body-worn camera footage, she discovered a starkly different story. The video allegedly showed one of the officers grabbing the teen by the neck and slamming her into a concrete barrier—a use of force that was neither documented nor justified.

Sanchez, committed to upholding accountability, ordered an investigation into the officers’ actions. But instead of being supported for her efforts to address misconduct, she became the target of a smear campaign orchestrated by the LAPPL. The union’s president, Craig Lally, publicly criticized Sanchez in the union’s monthly magazine, *Thin Blue Line*, accusing her of unfairly targeting the officers. This retaliation against Sanchez is emblematic of the LAPPL’s broader strategy: attacking those who dare to hold officers accountable while defending even the most egregious misconduct.

A Pattern of Protecting Abusive Officers

The Sanchez case is not an isolated incident. The LAPPL has a long history of defending officers accused of misconduct, even when the evidence against them is overwhelming. The union has repeatedly fought against reforms to the LAPD’s disciplinary system, which critics argue is inconsistent and biased in favor of officers. The LAPPL’s resistance to accountability measures has created a culture where officers feel emboldened to act with impunity, knowing the union will shield them from consequences.

This culture of protection extends to cases of sexual harassment, discrimination, and excessive use of force. In 2024, former LAPD Detective Kristine Klotz filed a lawsuit alleging that she faced retaliation after reporting sexual harassment by a male supervisor. Instead of addressing her concerns, Klotz was demoted and transferred—a pattern of retaliation that mirrors Sanchez’s experience. The LAPPL’s silence in such cases speaks volumes about its priorities: protecting abusive officers at all costs, even if it means sacrificing the careers and well-being of those who speak out.

The Broader Implications for Los Angeles

The LAPPL’s actions have far-reaching consequences for the city of Los Angeles. By protecting abusive officers and attacking whistleblowers like Sanchez, the union erodes public trust in law enforcement and perpetuates a cycle of misconduct and impunity. This lack of accountability disproportionately harms marginalized communities, who are often the most frequent targets of police abuse.

Moreover, the LAPPL’s political influence undermines efforts to implement meaningful reforms. As long as the union continues to wield its financial and political power, it will be difficult to achieve the systemic changes needed to create a more just and equitable policing system. The case of Captain Silvia Sanchez serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability—not just within the LAPD, but also within the union that claims to represent its officers.

Traci Park is beholden to the police

Councilmember Traci Park’s acceptance of nearly half a million dollars from the LAPPL raises serious ethical concerns and calls into question her ability to serve as an independent voice for her constituents. As the Sanchez case demonstrates, the LAPPL is not interested in fostering a culture of transparency and accountability within the LAPD. By aligning herself with the union, Park has effectively tied her political fortunes to an organization that actively undermines efforts to address police misconduct.