Updated

Los Angeles police are reviewing recently released clergy abuse files to see if there's evidence of criminal activity by members of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, including the failure to report child abuse to authorities.

Cmdr. Andrew Smith said Tuesday the LAPD is focusing on the cases of about a dozen previously investigated priests and is auditing them to make sure nothing was missed.

The department is looking at the files of all 122 priests for evidence contained in the previously sealed documents.

Many of the cases happened decades ago.

The priests' confidential personnel files were released Thursday by court order after the archdiocese fought for years to keep them sealed.

They show retired Cardinal Roger Mahony and top aides shielded molester priests to protect the church.