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History
Creation of the Office of the Inspector General was a key recommendation of the 1991 Christopher Commission report. The Christopher Commission envisioned the OIG as playing a key role in monitoring the internal discipline system of the LAPD, ensuring that complaints were properly received, investigated, adjudicated, and, when appropriate, punished. A 1995 voter-approved amendment to the City Charter officially created the OIG, which first became operational in 1996, under the first Inspector General, Katherine Mader. The duties of the office under the Charter were to audit, investigate, and oversee the Police Department's handling of complaints of misconduct by police officers and civilian employees, and perform other duties as assigned by the Police Commission.
From time to time since the OIG's inception, controversy has flared over the office's role and authority. These controversies led to further amendments to the City Charter provisions relating to the OIG. Under the new City Charter, which became effective in July 2000, the OIG now :
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Has the authority to initiate any audit or investigation pertaining to the Police Department, without the prior approval of the Police Commission, subject to the Commission's authority to direct that investigation be discontinued
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Has guaranteed access to all information and documents of the Police Department, to the same extent as the Police Commission itself
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Has the power to subpoena witnesses
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Has authority to hire, discipline, and transfer the employees of the OIG, and more.