A recent report from KNBC has sparked an investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and city attorney into the behavior of two traffic officers who apparently took part in a porn video while on the job (KNBC’s report above).
According to KNBC, city officials failed to discipline the officers after they appeared in an online video with a porn actress. In the video, the actress is seen approaching men in various work environments and at one point she flirts with the officers, who respond by groping her. At one point, the officers let her into their car where she, as KNBC’s Joel Grover put it, “performs lewd acts on herself.”
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation put the officers on administrative leave following KNBC’s report. Amir Sedadi, LADOT’s interim general manager, released the following statement in response to KNBC’s allegations:
Photos of what appeared to be LADOT officers engaged in misconduct were provided anonymously to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and forwarded to our offices earlier this year. The still photos contained blurred faces and did not contain any identifiable information regarding the individuals, or the source of the photos. In fact, the photos contained faces and vehicle numbers that were all completely blurred beyond recognition and therefore prior to viewing a video from KNBC-TV, we were not aware of the fact that a video existed.
After the assessment of the still photos was conducted, while we were unable to positively identify any individual employee, we reminded all of our traffic officers in writing about their obligation to conduct themselves in a manner that earns and maintains the trust, respect and confidence of those with whom we serve. We expect our employees to conduct themselves in a manner which will bring credit to themselves and to the Department. Because LADOT Traffic Officers are one of the most conspicuous representatives of City government, we expect our employees to avoid becoming engaged in conduct which is not only inappropriate, but also puts them in a position of compromise.
A full investigation was launched after the video of the incident was provided by KNBC-TV this past week. After we were provided the names of the individuals allegedly involved in the misconduct, both employees were immediately placed on administrative leave. Because we take the incident so seriously, and in order to ensure that the investigation is done thoroughly, a request was made and granted for the Los Angeles Police Department, City Attorney, and Personnel Department to assist in the investigation and provide recommendations. The investigation is designed to seek the truth and establish all the circumstances involved in this very serious incident.
I want to make it clear; LADOT does not condone or tolerate unacceptable or inappropriate behavior from any of our employees. The allegations involving two individuals in no way should be taken as representative of the nearly 600 professional Traffic Officers in the Department.
While I am not able to release the names of the individuals involved due to personnel rules and legal statutes, I can assure everyone that once the investigation is completed, and if the allegations of inappropriate behavior are sustained, swift and appropriate disciplinary action will occur. Finally, I want to thank KNBC-TV for providing us the information that is allowing this investigation to proceed and I pledge that we will complete the detailed review of this incident in a timely manner.