Days After Putting LAPD On Blast, L.A.’s Top ‘Cop-Watcher’ Is Charged With Rare Eavesdropping Crime

Days after blowing the whistle on a misleading sign posted to the front door of LAPD Wilshire Division Station, falsely blaming a COVID-related staff shortage on “defunding.” Prolific cop-watcher, William Gude, was charged with a crime. In two years Gude has filed hundreds of complaints against LAPD officers. In 10 months he's faced charges five times.

In a letter from the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, received last month, authorities alleged that Gude violated California’s eavesdropping law - which generally makes it illegal to record a phone call or private conversation without consent.

The allegations are in reference to a phone call with LAPD Sgt. Chao, a supervisor who handles complaints about the department. Gude reached out to Chao last year to discuss a mask complaint against an officer. The department determined that the officers' actions could have been different but they didn't sustain the complaint or discipline the officer. Gude openly admits he taped the roughly 45-minute conversation and has posted portions online.

During the call, the supervisor says that Chief Moore ruled that "even though [not wearing a mask] is technically misconduct, that type of allegation does not result in any punitive action of discipline against the accused officer."