L.A. police union backs changes to policy on asking gang members about legal status

Joel Rubin

The president of the group says a councilman’s plan to amend Special Order 40 is ‘a common-sense approach.’

The union representing rank-and-file Los Angeles police officers Friday announced its support for a controversial campaign to make it easier for officers to question gang members about whether they are in the country legally.

Last week, City Councilman Dennis Zine introduced a motion that would require Los Angeles Police Department officers to check the immigration status of a gang member suspected of being in the country illegally — even if the suspect is not under arrest.

The proposal quickly came under fire from Police Chief William J. Bratton, who said it was tantamount to “racial profiling.â€