LAPD officer accused of racial profiling

The Los Angeles Police Department has, for the first time, found one of its officers guilty of racial profiling, sources told the Los Angeles Times. A department investigation found Patrick Smith, a 15-year veteran who is white, targeted Latino drivers for traffic stops because of their race, the Times reported Monday, citing sources. The investigation found Smith had deliberately misidentified some Latinos as white on his reports -- which the newspaper said apparently was an effort to hide the fact the people he stopped were overwhelmingly Hispanic. The department has faced accusations of racial profiling since the 1970s and the claims have persisted in the past decade. Hundreds of officers are accused of racial profiling annually but all have been cleared by the department, which has told critics it was extremely difficult to determine whether racial bias motivated an officer. Smith, who worked alone on a motorcycle in the department's West Traffic Division, has been relieved of duty during the department investigation. Sources said Police Chief Charlie Beck reviewed the evidence and was told by command staff Smith should be found guilty. Beck has ordered Smith be sent to a disciplinary hearing, where the department will attempt to have him fired, sources told the Times. The chief cannot fire an officer himself; a three-person board reviews the case and decides if firing is justified. The Times said Smith did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment.