With a remarkable decade-long tenure in the SWAT unit and a flawless track record of executing high-risk operations, Los Angeles police Lt. Jennifer Grasso felt poised to ascend to the rank of tactical unit leader as the position became available this year. As the groundbreaking first woman to serve in SWAT, Grasso’s confidence surged even further after receiving the endorsement from her retiring superior, a seasoned officer in the department.
However, Grasso claims she was unexpectedly overlooked for the “officer in charge” role when her higher-ups discovered her willingness to expose what she and others characterized as a pervasive culture of violence, insularity, and concealment within the department.
The civil trial, anticipated to commence on Thursday and extend for several weeks, will feature Grasso alongside several fellow SWAT members who are prepared to testify. The legal proceedings originate from a lawsuit filed against the city of Los Angeles, which asserts that the tactical unit operates under the influence of a so-called “SWAT Mafia,” comprising powerful veteran officers who purportedly “glamorize the use of lethal force.”
The lawsuit, initiated four years ago by former Sgt. Tim Colomey—who has since departed both SWAT and the LAPD—alleges that senior figures within the unit retaliated against him and others for addressing their misconduct.
The case details specific incidents of excessive force allegedly employed by the SWAT team, including the controversial 2017 sniper shooting of an unarmed individual from a helicopter and the tragic death of Carlos Ocana, a mentally ill homeless man who fell off a downtown building after being shot with a Taser in 2014. Colomey asserts that officers who rejected the unit’s shoot-first, ask-questions-later mentality faced ostracism or were forced out.
According to the lawsuit, members of this so-called SWAT Mafia strategically recruited younger, less experienced supervisors whom they could easily manipulate, thus exerting undue influence over the decisions of higher-ranking officers from other departments. The lawsuit claims that these veteran SWAT officers not only overruled the authority of their superiors but also became among the most highly compensated employees in the city by acquiring extensive overtime hours.
Colomey dedicated 11 years to the position of SWAT supervisor until his departure in November 2019, immediately followed by his decision to file a lawsuit the subsequent year. In response to a controversial incident in which an officer was captured on video saying “happy hunting” before the fatal shooting of a suspect, former Chief Michel Moore mandated an internal review of SWAT operations in 2022. The findings of this review, however, refuted Colomey’s claims about an internal culture centered on violence and concluded that the unit employed deadly force in only a small fraction of their operations.
Nonetheless, Colomey has allies like Grasso, who stand ready to testify under oath to corroborate his allegations.
Grasso contends that Lt. Lee McMillion, one of her superiors at SWAT, “improperly obtained” confidential documents related to the Internal Affairs investigation into Colomey’s case, which included detailed accounts from various witnesses. In the wake of this breach, Grasso claims she endured months of retaliation orchestrated by McMillion and his inner circle.
Grasso alleges that McMillion disparaged her directly, as well as other whistleblowers who cooperated with Internal Affairs. In one notably hostile exchange, she claims McMillion labeled her an “enemy of the platoon,” similarly branding Colomey and fellow colleagues. Furthermore, Grasso alleges that McMillion was overheard making disparaging remarks implying that “no straight woman can ever work in SWAT.”
Despite these accusations, McMillion has refuted the claims in court documents and is not listed as a defendant in the ongoing lawsuit.
The city is vigorously contesting the claims brought forth by Colomey, and according to legal filings, it engaged forensic experts to assess whether Colomey’s allegations might have been influenced by testosterone treatments he had previously acknowledged or by mental health challenges stemming from his law enforcement duties.
Grasso asserts that her immediate supervisor, Lt. Ruben Lopez, assured her in 2022 that she was next in line for promotion when he retired, contingent on her agreeing to “distance [her]self from this whole Tim Colomey thing.” Despite Lopez’s alleged promise, Grasso ultimately chose to support Colomey by submitting a formal written declaration. Lopez has denied any wrongdoing in his court filings and is anticipated to be among the initial witnesses in the upcoming civil trial.
After Lopez retired last year, Grasso applied for his position but was unexpectedly passed over, leading to her grievance. During the interim of the position’s vacancy, she claims that interim Chief Dominic Choi summoned her for a meeting, inquiring whether she could “get along with McMillion” should she become the next SWAT leader.
Grasso reported feeling “exasperated” in response to the question, firmly insisting that she could collaborate with anyone in the unit. Despite her assertions, she did not receive the promotion. In light of the treatment she received, she filed her own claim against the city, alleging that her denied promotion was a direct form of retaliation for her support of Colomey.
Colomey’s legal representation is considering calling Jeff Wenninger, a former Internal Affairs investigator, who testified that higher-ups within the LAPD exhibited a tendency to be lenient in their evaluations of shootings and the use of force by SWAT personnel.
Wenninger’s deposition highlighted concerns regarding the department’s management of a notorious 2010 incident involving a porn star, Stephen Clancy Hill, who was suspected of killing a colleague with a samurai sword. Hill subsequently died following a fall from a rocky precipice after an armed standoff, during which a SWAT officer discharged less-lethal rounds at him.
Wenninger alleged that department leadership actively sought to obscure the misconduct of the high-profile unit, yet he recognized a shift in recent years toward a more scrutinizing review of SWAT-related shootings by the civilian oversight body, known as the Police Commission.
“Things are very different now. Things evolved during the period of time that I was there where the police commissioners, for all intents and purposes, provided a rubber stamp,” he stated in his deposition. “They really didn’t have their own independent review. That changed over time.”
Expectations are high for testimony from Sean Colomey, Tim Colomey’s brother, who also held a supervisory role in SWAT and has reported hearing members of the unit refer to themselves as a “mafia.”
In sworn pretrial testimonies, both Colomey brothers identified several lower-ranking officers as affiliated with the SWAT Mafia, alleging that influential supervisors and police commanders such as McMillion and Lopez were instrumental in sustaining the group’s power.
Historically, Colomey was a familiar face at SWAT operations, often acting as a negotiator and utilizing a bullhorn to peacefully de-escalate tense situations with suspects holed up inside buildings.
Just prior to coming forward with his allegations against SWAT, Colomey appeared in a police department podcast titled “Born in Boston: A SWAT Story.” In this episode, he shared insights about his ascent to unit leadership, highlighting his near-fatal accident when struck by a vehicle during a foot pursuit of an armed assailant. At that time, his partner was none other than Choi, who was recently succeeded as chief by Jim McDonnell.
How does Lt. Grasso hope the civil trial will impact the culture within the police department?
**Interview with Lt. Jennifer Grasso on Her Experience in SWAT and Upcoming Civil Trial**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Lt. Grasso. Your decade-long service in the SWAT unit has been quite remarkable, especially as the first woman to serve in that role. Can you start by sharing what motivated you to join the unit?
**Lt. Jennifer Grasso:** Thank you for having me. I’ve always had a passion for law enforcement and a strong desire to protect and serve my community. The SWAT team represents the very pinnacle of that commitment, allowing me to engage in high-stakes situations where I can make a real difference. Becoming the first woman in SWAT was both a challenge and an honor, and I wanted to prove that women can excel in tactical roles.
**Interviewer:** You were poised for a leadership rank this year but were allegedly overlooked after expressing concerns about the unit’s culture. Can you explain what you encountered?
**Lt. Grasso:** Yes, when I applied for the position of tactical unit leader, I believed I was the most qualified. However, I discovered that my willingness to expose the culture of violence and concealment within the department led to significant pushback. I witnessed firsthand how some officers prioritize their loyalty to each other over accountability, which is something I couldn’t stand by and ignore.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned a civil trial is set to begin soon. What are some key issues that you and your fellow SWAT members will be testifying about?
**Lt. Grasso:** The trial revolves around serious allegations, including excessive use of force and a so-called “SWAT Mafia” that influences decision-making within the unit. We will be discussing specific incidents that underline the misconduct and how those who challenge this culture, like Tim Colomey, face retaliation.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a challenging position to be in. You’ve alleged that you were retaliated against after supporting Colomey. Can you elaborate on that experience?
**Lt. Grasso:** After supporting Tim and cooperating with Internal Affairs, I faced significant bullying and ostracism from my superiors. Lt. Lee McMillion, in particular, made it clear I was labeled an “enemy of the platoon.” The environment turned hostile, affecting my career and mental well-being.
**Interviewer:** In light of these challenges, what is your hope for the outcome of the trial and your own claims against the city?
**Lt. Grasso:** My hope is for accountability and change within the department. This isn’t just about me; it’s about establishing an environment where officers can speak out without fear of retaliation. The culture needs to shift to prioritize integrity and transparency, rather than punishing those who stand up against misconduct.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Lt. Grasso, for sharing your insights and experiences. We wish you the best in the upcoming trial.
**Lt. Grasso:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that these issues are discussed, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak out.