Following revelations of racially and sexually offensive remarks by Los Angeles Police Department recruitment officers, an internal affairs file has exposed a troubling workplace environment within the LAPD’s Hiring and Evaluation Section. The file, obtained through a records request, outlines how officers responded to an ongoing investigation into the misconduct, highlighting both inappropriate behavior and the department’s delayed response to the scandal’s impact on recruitment.

The controversy began when Daniel Flores, an LAPD whistleblower, secretly recorded colleagues making derogatory statements about Black applicants, women, and Latino candidates. Flores’s recordings included comments referring to Black people as “monkeys,” describing a female applicant as “rapeable,” and suggesting immigration enforcement actions in conversations about Latino candidates. These revelations, first publicized in early 2025, raised concerns about whether discriminatory attitudes had influenced hiring decisions.

Despite department leaders pledging an investigation, more than a year and a half later the city personnel department has yet to complete its inquiry or set a timeline for release. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the protracted review, urging prompt completion and publication of the report. The Police Commission has similarly emphasized the priority of fair and equitable hiring practices.

The personnel department confirmed it is handling the investigation but declined to comment on disciplinary measures due to state privacy laws. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, addressing the controversy in 2025, described the personnel department’s probe as a “biopsy” to assess any adverse effects on recruitment amid the department’s ongoing staffing challenges. The department’s sworn ranks stood at 8,507 last month, the lowest since 1995, posing potential impacts on public safety and preparedness ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The internal affairs report portrays the Hiring and Evaluation Section’s workplace culture as “frat-like,” with officers engaging in crude humor and off-color remarks. Several employees confirmed that humor was used as a coping mechanism for long hours in a small, windowless basement office, but some comments crossed into offensive territory. Sgt. Denny Jong, the unit supervisor, acknowledged inappropriate jokes but denied any malicious intent or improper influence on hiring decisions. He described his relationships with subordinates as friendly and professional, noting no expressions of discomfort.

Among the allegations, recruitment officer Shirley Burgos was recorded making disparaging judgments about candidates’ appearances and reportedly disclosed candidate information to contacts outside the LAPD, contrary to department confidentiality rules. Burgos denied sharing information improperly, claiming some statements were made in jest. Officer Ayron McKay corroborated instances of inappropriate comments and conduct but also minimized their significance in terms of actual hiring outcomes.

All involved officers denied that their conduct led to wrongful disqualifications, asserting that final candidate decisions undergo multiple layers of review beyond the recruitment unit. Nevertheless, Flores filed a formal complaint in January 2025, asserting that at least some recruits may have been wrongly excluded based on biased assessments during the recruitment process.

Last month, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman charged Flores with multiple felonies for recording his colleagues without consent, citing state eavesdropping laws. After public criticism from Mayor Bass and others, the charges were reduced to misdemeanors, with Flores entering a diversion agreement that is expected to prevent imprisonment.

The ongoing investigation reflects complex challenges within the LAPD’s recruitment system, balancing efforts to maintain departmental integrity with the urgent need to address officer shortages and restore public trust. The final personnel department report is anticipated to shed light on whether reforms and disciplinary actions will follow.