‘Neo-Nazi’ Deputies Barred at Rose Parade : Law enforcement: Pasadena makes exclusion of alleged white supremacists a condition of security pact with Sheriff’s Department.

In the latest blow to the image of the beleaguered county Sheriff’s Department, Pasadena officials decided Tuesday to hire deputies for Tournament of Roses security duty only if members of a white supremacist group allegedly operating out of the sheriff’s Lynwood station are excluded.

The Pasadena City Council also requested that the 763 deputies hired for the New Year’s Day festivities include as many female and minority deputies as possible.

“Of necessity we must continue doing business with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department,” Councilman William Paparian said. “But we want to make sure there are no neo-Nazis, white supremacists or members of the organization called the Vikings which operates out of the Lynwood area.”

Last month, a federal judge concluded that the Vikings, a “neo-Nazi, white supremacist gang” of deputies, exists at the Lynwood station with the knowledge of department officials. The department, however, has characterized the Vikings as a harmless social group.

Paparian’s condition was attached to the measure authorizing the city to spend up to $400,000 for the deputies’ services. The Tournament of Roses, which runs the parade, provides the remainder of the $800,000 contract.

Councilman Isaac Richard challenged the Sheriff’s Department to provide a fully integrated roster of deputies for parade duty. He suggested that the city get commitments in writing from Sheriff Sherman Block promising that the contingent of deputies be as representative of women and minorities as possible.

Last month, council members expressed concern about a series of federal court rulings that the Sheriff’s Department had deliberately discriminated against female deputies. They noted that Pasadena’s affirmative action ordinance requires that contractors doing business with the city offer equal opportunity.

Since the early 1960s, the department has assigned deputies to help Pasadena police patrol the parade route on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as security during the Rose Bowl game.

The council considered going to other law enforcement agencies for the additional security, but Pasadena police officials convinced the council that finding the needed officers and equipment at this late date would have been impractical.

The Sheriff’s Department will provide equipment, including 97 radio cars, two trailers to be used as command posts and four prisoner transportation vans. In addition, Sheriff’s Department radios are compatible with those used by Pasadena police.

A spokesman at the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said no department officials were available for comment late Tuesday on the council decision.