LAPD cuts ties with group linked to Boy Scouts

The Associated Press
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 - 7:51 pm

LOS ANGELES -- The Police Commission has voted to cut the Los Angeles Police Department's ties with an organization linked to Boy Scouts of America, which bars gays, atheists and agnostics from being troop leaders.

The organization, Learning for Life, was spun off from Boy Scouts of America, and runs the LAPD's Explorer program for teenagers interested in law enforcement careers.

The Police Commission also voted Tuesday to support a proposal for the department to run the Explorer program itself using donations, but no decision was made about starting a new youth program.

Officials said the Boy Scouts policy is "inconsistent" with the city's policy of non-discrimination.

Learning for Life officials say the organization does not discriminate and does not take funds from the Boy Scouts.

http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/2303656.html