LAPD to open new jail

The long-delayed transfer of inmates from the dilapidated Parker Center jail to the new Metropolitan Detention Center begins at midnight tonight amid continuing concern about the use of LAPD officers as guards. Daily News.

Assistant Police Chief Michel Moore told city officials on Monday that 88 sworn officers - 83 jailers and five supervisors - have been trained to supplement the 331 civilian officers needed to staff the $84 million detention center.

"Parker Center jail will close and we will transition to the new Metropolitan Detention Facility that was completed 18 months ago," Moore told a joint meeting of the City Council's Public Safety and Budget and Finance committees. "We are doing this out of concern for the health and safety of the people in custody and the people who work there."