Gay Officer
Testifies in Lawsuit Against LAPD

One of the first officers of the Los Angeles Police Department to come out of the closet testified in court Monday that he hoped taking legal action against the LAPD would help change attitudes there toward gays, according to Southern California's City News Service.

Mitchell Grobeson, 48, was suspended for appearing in uniform at a gay pride parade in 1994, which he argued violated the settlement terms of a previous suit, which he filed against the LAPD in 1988. Among the resolutions then was an end to discriminatory policies toward gay employees and applicants. The case relating to the 1994 incident finally went to trial earlier this month.

"It was important to me to see citywide changes," said Grobeson, according to the City News Service.

In a settlement reached before the current trial, the city agreed to write stronger antidiscrimination rules into its administrative code. But Grobeson's requests for reinstatement and back pay were not resolved, and the city is considering those now. He said he wants to join the force again "more than anything," City News Service reported.

"The LAPD is one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country," he said. "I never had a better chance to serve and help more people than when I was a Los Angeles police officer."

Los Angeles police officials maintain that Grobeson did not cooperate with his supervisors and that he appeared at gay events in uniform without seeking prior approval. (The Advocate)