Metropolitan News-Enterprise

 

Friday, April 8, 2016

 

Page 4

 

Englander May Not Use ‘Police Officer’ in Ballot Designation—Judge O’Brien

 

By a MetNews Staff Writer

 

Los Angeles City Council member and Board of Supervisors candidate Mitchell Englander may not be designated as a police officer on the June 7 primary ballot, and may not be referred to as such in his candidate statement, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ruled.

Englander, a reserve officer, is seeking the District 5 board seat being vacated by Michael Antonovich. Three opponents—Deputy District Attorney Elan Carr, state Sen. Bob Huff, R-San Dimas, and Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian—teamed up to bring writ proceedings challenging the designations.

Also seeking the seat are Antonovich’s chief deputy, Kathryn Barger; real estate investor Rajpal Kahlon; Altadena Town Council Member Billy Malone, and educator Darrell Park.

On Wednesday, retired Superior Court Judge Robert O’Brien—sitting on assignment—ruled that it would be misleading for Englander to be described as a “Councilmember/Police Officer” on the ballot, or to list “Police Officer” in his candidate statement, as one of several occupations he has held. The judge also said he must alter a sentence reading “As a Police Officer, I patrolled our streets for over a decade.”

Yesterday, O’Brien issued a second ruling, rejecting the alternative designation “Councilmember/Reserve Policeman.” Barring a successful appeal, Englander will now appear on the ballot simply as “Councilmember.”

Englander’s attorney, Stephen Kaufman, told the MetNews:

“The judge just flat out got it wrong. His ruling is an affront to all the dedicated men and women who wear the LAPD badge and put their lives on the line for the people of Los Angeles.  There is no disputing that Mr. Englander graduated top of his class at the Police Academy, and has patrolled our city’s streets for more than a decade.”

He said he and his client were “evaluating the situation” with respect to a possible appeal.

 

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