Police told to establish a plan; City manager asks for reforms of internal affairs practices.(B SECTION)

Byline: PAUL QUINLAN paul.quinlan@heraldtribune.com

VENICE -- Armed with a highly critical consultant's report that recommends sweeping reform for the Venice Police Department, including staff cutbacks, City Manager Marty Black has given Police Chief Jim Hanks 30 days to establish a plan to achieve some of the most urgent recommendations.

Black also has asked the department to reform immediately its internal affairs practices, which govern how the department addresses complaints against its own officers, and how they are disciplined.

Until those practices are tightened, the police force remains exposed to serious liability concerns, particularly if …