Police union sues city, LAPD over new auto impound policy

The Los Angeles Police Protective League files suit over a controversial policy that will limit cases in which officers impound vehicles of drivers operating without a license. The new procedures put officers in conflict with state laws and could expose them to civil liability, according to the suit.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League filed suit on Wednesday against the city and its Police Department over a controversial policy that will limit cases in which police officers impound vehicles of drivers operating without a license.

The new procedures put Los Angeles police officers in conflict with state laws governing 30-day impounds and could expose them to civil liability, according to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The union, which represents more than 9,900 sworn LAPD employees, is asking a judge to determine the validity of the policy and impose an injunction to stop it from being implemented.

The policy was approved by the Los Angeles Police Commission in February, and Special Order 7, outlining the procedures, was issued last week. The policy is set to go into effect Sunday.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lapd-impound-20120420,0,5539476.story