Retired LAPD Lieutenant: “Ending Qualified Immunity Will Improve Policing”
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Feb 17, 2026 
Patrick Jaicomo, IJ senior attorney fighting legal doctrines that block accountability. Jeff Wenninger, retired LAPD lieutenant and policing reform expert. They discuss why policing needs enforceable accountability. They examine qualified immunity, training gaps, militarization, crowd-control failures, and how voters and systems can push for meaningful reform.
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From Sheriff To Rampart Reformer
- Jeff Wenninger described early career moves from the LA County Sheriff's Department to LAPD and frontline assignments in 77th and Rampart Division.
- He recounted being placed on a new management team to fix Rampart corruption and later briefing Chief Bratton on officer-involved shootings.
Education Cuts Use-Of-Force And Complaints
- Jeff argues higher education and longer training produce fewer force incidents and complaints among officers.
- He notes many countries require multi-year police education versus the U.S. average of ~800 hours.
Gear Shapes Officer Mindset
- Jeff explains militarized equipment and gear reshape officers' subconscious mindset toward threat.
- He connects gear and posture to a perception of policing as combat rather than public safety.
