by Jim Crogan

Now you can get your answers - except for that last one, along with hot links to sample a Jack Webb love rap track or clips from an episode of Cops - via the World Wide Web. Simply click on to the LAPD's brand-new Web site, http://www.lapdonline.org/.

This open posture comes hard, however, for an institution steeped in secrecy.

The issue is being pressed by the Police Protective League, which has filed suit to block publication of SLO mug shots, citing privacy rights and a "potential" threat to the officers and their families.

"We've been contacted by over 50 percent of the SLOs, expressing concern that being publicly ID'd would jeopardize their safety and the safety of their families," says league president Dave Hepburn.

In court papers filed August 11, League general counsel Enrique Hernandez cites a Web site called "Killercop.com," which reportedly advocated violence against LAPD officers, offering a "$1,000.05 reward to the first person who kills a cop making an illegal arrest . . . and $2,000.10 if it's an LAPD cop."

Finally, Kalish notes the 1984 publication of a memorial book by the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club. Although participation was voluntary and the book was not publicly distributed, a copy of this retrospective history of the LAPD is available for review in the downtown public library.

The book contains a wealth of information about the department as well as pictures of most of the LAPD's sworn and civilian personnel, broken down by division. Included are head shots of director Dennis Zine, secretary Ted Hunt, director Cliff Ruff and League vice president Gary Fullerton in their respective field assignments.

The Web site was shut down after complaints were lodged by the department, but it re-emerges occasionally.