McKee
McKee v. Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force
Opinion
Opinion
Ashmann-Gerst, J.
Appellant Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (L.A. Impact) appeals the trial court order compelling it to comply with the open meeting requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act (the Brown Act) (Gov. Code, § 54950 et seq.).
We affirm.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
L.A. Impact was organized by the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association in 1991 to coordinate the efforts of the police departments and other law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles County to fight drug trafficking and money laundering. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was prepared and numerous city councils approved it. For example, the City of Claremont City Council authorized its police chief to enter into the MOU. Also, by resolution, the City of Hermosa Beach City Council and the City of Manhattan Beach City Council authorized participation in L.A. Impact by adopting a joint powers agreement and MOU.
L.A. Impact then began its operations, and has been quite successful. According to one report, “[sjince its founding, L.A. Impact has arrested 3,600 people and seized 123,000 pounds of cocaine with a street value of $5 billion [and] has taken in $80 million in…