People v. Staunton CA2/1

Background Staunton worked as one of about 400 sworn peace officers of the Los Angeles Airport Police, at Los Angeles International Airport. Officer Howard Chambliss worked for the Airport Police as a security officer, not a sworn peace officer, and therefore did not carry a gun or have the power to arrest, as police officers did. Staunton and Chambliss were well acquainted as friends at work. On April 12, 2011, Melissa W. was at the airport with Tracy Culp, waiting for their return flight to Washington. Coming to meet them at the boarding gate were a friend, Frankeice Jordan, and Jordan’s young daughter Hazel, with whom they had been visiting in Los Angeles. They sat on a bench past the security screening area, opposite a security podium, at which Melissa noticed Staunton and Chambliss, whom she believed to be “regular police officers” because of their uniforms, badges, and weapons. After his lunch, Chambliss had stopped at the podium to talk with Staunton on his way to a visit with another airport employee whom he had been dating. According to Chambliss, Melissa was dressed in a short and somewhat revealing white dress. Staunton noticed, and commented to Chambliss on Melissa’s…