Luna Wins Black Women’s PAC Endorsement

In a Sept. 27 letter addressed to sheriff candidate and former LBPD Chief Robert Luna obtained by the Beachcomber, Ingrid Palmer, president of the Los Angeles African American Women PAC wrote: “The Los Angeles African American Women Political Action Committee (LAAAW PAC) has voted to endorse your candidacy in the upcoming Nov. 8 Midterm Election.”

“In our efforts to ensure we increase the number of Black women and allies in public leadership, LAAAW PAC is firmly committed to providing financial support and guidance to our endorsed candidates…”

The Beachcomber also obtained a copy of Luna’s response to Palmer. He wrote: “I am very humbled and honored to receive your endorsement. Thank you! I will commit to meeting your expectations and always consider you a partner in the quest to transform the LACO Sheriff’s Department.”

A review of the LAAAW PAC website indicates that the organization accepts endorsement applications from candidates. The website states that “No application is complete or will be considered without the administrative fee.”

Questions posed to the applicant related to his or her candidacy include:

• Black women are one of the most active voting blocs in the U.S. electorate – including in California and Los Angeles County. What work have you done that demonstrates your willingness and ability to lead on the issues most important to Black women including criminal justice reform, healthcare and related issues, immigration, the economy and job, race and discrimination?
• What Black women have you hired in the past and for what positions? If currently elected, do you have Black women in leadership positions in your office now?
• Will you hire Black women in leadership positions if elected?
• The Beachcomber sent emails to Palmer, the LAAAW PAC and to Luna’s campaign headquarters asking for a copy of the responses Luna made to the three questions posed by the Black women’s political action committee (PAC).

No response was received prior to publication.

The Beachcomber also sent the following separate email to Ingrid Palmer, president, LAAAW PAC:

The Beachcomber, a print and online newspaper in Long Beach, just learned of your organization’s Sept. 27 vote to endorse Robert Luna for Sheriff.

In light of your organization’s goal “to ensure we increase the number of Black women and allies in public leadership,” we would like to ask why your organization believes Chief Luna – based upon his past performance – will contribute anything toward that goal?

During Luna’s seven years as chief and many more in executive command positions during his 35 years with the LBPD, Luna never once promoted a Black woman above the entry level rank of police officer.

The LBPD currently employs four Black female sworn police officers. One is a sergeant – promoted to that position nine months after Luna retired; the first promotion of a Black female in the LBPD’s 134-year history.

This link, published Sept. 22, outlines the story behind that promotion: https://beachcomber.news/content/lbpd-appoints-1st-black-female-sergeant

This link, published March 25 2021 entitled “LBPD Does Not Promote Black Woman” tells a deeper story of Luna’s serial failures to address opportunities for Black female police officers: https://beachcomber.news/content/lbpd-does-not-promote-black-women

By contrast the Sheriff’s Office current representation of Black females is:

• Deputy – 93
• Sergeant – 34
• Lieutenant – 18
• Captain – 3
• Chief – 1

In light of the above, the Beachcomber would like to obtain comment as to why your organization opted to endorse Luna for sheriff?

A response was not received from Palmer prior to publication.

Stephen Downing is a Long Beach resident and retired LAPD deputy chief of police.

stephen.beachcomber@gmail.com.