LAPD Officer Faces 16 Felony Counts Over Secret Recordings: DA

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles police was charged Friday with secretly recording conversations among colleagues while assigned to a unit that investigated candidates seeking jobs with the department, according to prosecutors.

Daniel Flores, 43, faces 16 felony counts of eavesdropping on or recording confidential communications, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

During 2024, prosecutors claim Flores recorded colleagues responsible for determining which candidates could be hired by the Los Angeles Police Department. Prosecutors said the recordings were made without the employees’ permission.

Some of the conversations included sexist, homophobic and racist remarks, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman condemned the reported comments but said they did not justify secretly recording confidential conversations.

“We deplore the sexist, homophobic and racist remarks made by certain LAPD employees, and they should be held accountable for such statements,” Hochman said in a statement.

California generally requires the consent of all people involved in a conversation before the conversation may be legally recorded. Hochman said employees who encounter misconduct have options for reporting it through lawful channels.

“One cannot simply choose to break the law because one wants to pursue a personal agenda,” Hochman said.

Flores is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 10 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles.

He could face up to 13 years in state prison if convicted as charged.

The charges are allegations. Flores is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.