FULL DISCLOSURE

Police work is difficult and dangerous. Officers who put their lives at risk so that the rest of us might feel safer deserve the highest salaries the city can beg, borrow or steal.

That being said, any officer who refuses to submit to full financial disclosure should not only be prohibited from working in gang units but should also be dismissed from the force immediately. In addition to being an extraordinary public service, wearing an LAPD uniform is a privilege, one which must be earned in part by being absolutely squeaky clean.

Some say they are insulted by the requirement. Get a thicker skin.

Some say it isn’t fair. Is fair that pro athletes have to take drug tests?

Some say they don’t want to reveal their finances to a department data base that isn’t secure. Make it secure!

Officers with nothing to hide have nothing to fear. The public has every right to demand that its police force be beyond reproach.