Quick Action Is Expected on Recommendation to Fire Koon
- Share via
Police Chief Willie L. Williams said Tuesday that he expects to take action “very, very shortly” on a recommendation that Sgt. Stacey C. Koon lose his job because he was convicted of violating Rodney G. King’s civil rights.
In a ruling made public Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department Board of Rights found that Koon should be stripped of his position. Conviction of a felony automatically results in the loss of a police officer’s job under department rules.
“We’re not shocked or surprised,” said Ira Salzman, one of Koon’s lawyers. “I certainly can understand that a felony conviction does present certain problems.”
Although Williams theoretically could reduce the board’s recommended punishment in the Koon case, he did not exercise that authority when a similar board suggested firing Officer Laurence M. Powell last year.
Koon and Powell each are serving 30-month federal prison sentences for their roles in the March 3, 1991, police beating of King.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
