Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez introduced a motion Wednesday to direct all city departments, including the police and fire departments, to investigate their employees’ potential involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
“City employees, especially sworn personnel, need to be held to the highest standard of conduct,” Rodriguez said. “They must act in accordance with the principles of democracy and the United States Constitution. Any government employee determined to have been involved in this attack is not just a betrayal to our democracy, it’s a rebuke of the privilege of being a public servant.”
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said Tuesday that any LAPD personnel identified as having attended the pro-Trump rally in Washington, D.C. or the subsequent storming of the U.S. Capitol would be ordered to speak with the FBI, regardless of if they committed any crimes. Moore said the officers may be able to provide information about others who engaged in criminal captivity at the Capitol.
One LAPD employee has been directed to interview with the FBI, Officer Rosario Cervantes told City News Service Tuesday, but no other details were released.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the officer stated that he attended the rally but was back at his accommodation in Washington when he saw on television that the Capitol was being stormed.
Rodriguez’ motion directs city departments to report to the City Council their plans to investigate, any findings and any disciplinary actions taken for an employee’s offense. It also directs a report on city employees’ existing social media policy on hate speech guidelines and First Amendment rights.