How getting 'jacked up' by police helped shape the LAPD's chief watchdog
LOS ANGELES — Since taking over as president of the Los Angeles Police Commission in August, Erroll Southers has drawn praise — and some criticism — for his stewardship of the civilian agency charged with oversight of the city's Police Department.
A career law enforcement official and former FBI agent, Southers now teaches about security issues as a professor at USC. He sat down with the Los Angeles Times in his office on the first floor of LAPD headquarters earlier this month to reflect on his first year with the Commission, former Chief Michel Moore's legacy, officer recruitment and the need to explore alternatives to armed police for certain emergencies. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
LAT: Now that you've kind of dipped your toes into the water and have some experience, what do you see your role as or the Commission's role in general?
I'm only the
