GLENDALE : Police Get $5,446 for Post-Trial Costs

Glendale police will receive only $5,446 of the $43,000 requested from the state for costs to prepare for events that never occurred after the Rodney G. King federal civil rights case, officials said Friday.

“In these budgetary shortfall times, we’re glad we got some disbursement (of funds) from the state,� said police Sgt. Lief Nicolaisen. “Although the city has to ultimately foot the bill, it’s money that was well-spent if it kept the community safe.�

Police had applied for a reimbursement in May, seeking $3,000 in riot equipment expenses and the rest in personnel overtime pay. Although the equipment was never used, police deployed extra officers during a period between April 12 to 19.

The federal case accusing three Los Angeles Police Department officers of violating King’s civil rights during a beating went to the jury for deliberation on April 10. Verdicts--including guilty judgments against two of the officers--were announced April 17, prompting police to double their force to 30.

Agencies that spent money preparing for the aftermath of the trial were allowed to apply through the state for special federal funds set aside to pay for police emergencies, officials said. But only $1 million in funds was available.

Between May and August, the state’s office of criminal justice planning reviewed reimbursement claims from several law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the LAPD, said spokesman Michael Carrington. Carrington couldn’t say exactly how much those two agencies received and how many claims were reviewed.