A veteran Los Angeles police captain has reached a tentative settlement in a whistleblower lawsuit against the city. Capt. Brian Pratt alleged he was reprimanded for a trivial matter in retaliation for reporting the misuse of personnel within his unit.
The dispute centered on the policing of Metro subway lines and buses. Pratt claimed that Deputy Chief Blake Chow and Commander Michael Oreb utilized employees paid by the MTA for work that “did not relate to MTA at all.”
Allegations of Retaliation
According to the suit, Pratt began complaining about the alleged misuse of employees once or twice a month starting in February 2019. By July 2020, he discovered that Commander Oreb had initiated a masked personnel complaint against him in December 2019.
Pratt believes this complaint, which he described as being for a “trivial matter,” prevented him from being promoted to the rank of commander. He further alleged that the LAPD placed his name on a tracking list in June 2020 before he was even interviewed regarding the complaint.
The Impact of ORWITS
The lawsuit highlighted the use of the Officer and Recurrent Witness Information Tracking System, known as ORWITS. This list contains the names of peace officers accused of making false statements and is accessible by government agencies.
Pratt asserted that being listed in ORWITS, combined with an official reprimand issued by the LAPD in December 2020, could adversely impact his ability to secure employment both outside the LAPD and after retirement.
City Defense and Legal Resolution
Lawyers for the City Attorney’s Office previously denied the allegations of malice. They stated that any conduct by the city was a “just and proper exercise of management discretion” conducted for “fair and honest reason.”
The case, originally filed in July 2021, has now reached a “conditional” resolution. While the specific terms of the settlement have not been divulged, the parties expect a request for dismissal to be brought by Aug. 17.
Judge William E. Weinberger has scheduled a post-settlement hearing for July 20. Depending on the outcome of that hearing, the legal proceedings may conclude with the formal dismissal of the suit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the basis of Capt. Brian Pratt’s whistleblower lawsuit?
Pratt alleged he was reprimanded for a trivial matter in retaliation for complaining that his unit’s commander was using personnel paid by the MTA for work unrelated to transportation duties.
What is ORWITS and why was it significant to this case?
ORWITS is the Officer and Recurrent Witness Information Tracking System, which lists peace officers accused of making false statements. Pratt claimed his inclusion on this list would harm his future employment opportunities outside the LAPD.
What is the current status of the legal proceedings?
A conditional resolution has been reached. A post-settlement hearing is scheduled for July 20, and a request for dismissal is expected by Aug. 17.
Do you believe internal whistleblower protections are sufficient for high-ranking law enforcement officials?
