INGLEWOOD - Rep. Maxine Waters on Monday called for a federal investigation into the Inglewood Police Department, which has come under fire in the wake of three officer-involved shootings in the past three months, including one that killed a 38-year-old Postal Service employee.

"These recent tragedies are a cause of great concern," said Waters, D- Los Angeles. "Police officers are sworn to protect and serve, but unfortunately many community residents have lost confidence in the Inglewood Police Department and instead of trusting the police, they are fearful.

"We need to have a thorough outside investigation to understand what is happening and to take the appropriate steps to correct the situation," she said.

Waters sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey asking for a Department of Justice investigation to determine "whether there is a pattern and practice of discriminatory conduct or violations of federal civil rights or federal criminal law."

Kevin Wicks, a 19-year employee of the U.S. Postal Service in West Los Angeles, was shot to death by Inglewood police Officer Brian Ragan at about 12:20 a.m. Monday after four officers went to his door in response to a report of an argument involving a man and two women.

Police said Wicks answered the door with a gun in his hand and raised it toward the officers, prompting the gunfire.

But relatives and community activists have decried the shooting, saying officers responded to the wrong apartment in the complex at 124 N. Hillcrest Blvd. They also insisted that Ragan should not have opened fire, and if Wicks was holding a gun, it was likely only for his safety since he lived in a dangerous neighborhood and was responding to a knock on his door around midnight.

Ragan had only recently returned to street duty. The five-year department veteran was placed on leave in May after being involved in a shooting in which a 19-year-old man died at a restaurant near Crenshaw Boulevard and 85th Street.

The spate of officer-involved shootings has prompted various calls for investigations of the department. Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks said last week officers vowed that a full probe of the Wicks shooting would be conducted.

"We will look at all of the facts, and should the facts prove that we need to do something differently, that we need to approach the situation differently, you have my absolute word that we will do exactly that," she said.

At its meeting Tuesday night, the Inglewood City Council is expected to discuss the shooting in closed session, then consider possibly asking the Los Angeles County Office of Independent Review to investigate the case.

"The leadership of the city is aware that federal and state elected officials have recommended separate investigations into the July 21st officer- involved shooting incident ...," said Timothy Wanamaker, Inglewood city administrator. "I expect to receive direction from the City Council tomorrow evening to engage OIR and commence an independent review to address public concerns regarding our city's law enforcement policies and bolster public confidence in the men and women of the Inglewood Police Department as they carry out our city's public safety program."


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