Controversial anti-gang units to disband amid LAPD probe

March 4, 2000
Web posted at: 12:21 a.m. EST (0521 GMT)

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- The Los Angeles Police Department has announced it will disband and deactivate all of its anti-gang CRASH units effective March 12 amid a growing police scandal.

Officers in those units will return to regular patrol duties.

CRASH -- which stands for Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums -- was formed in the late 1970s to combat gang and drug activity in certain areas of Los Angeles.

It was the arrest of one of their own members in LAPD's Rampart Division that led to the explosive scandal currently plaguing the police department and causing all CRASH units to come under harsh criticism, scrutiny and review.

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Officer Rafael Perez was caught stealing cocaine from an evidence locker, and after striking a plea bargain, began to tell investigators about LAPD officers shooting innocent people and sending others to prison on false charges.

The LAPD plans to activate a new Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) as a replacement for the CRASH Units in about 30 days, but this new operation will have stringent management oversight including monthly audits and on-site inspections.

Only patrol supervisors will be considered for positions in the new units.

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