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ACLU/SC Responds to 'Startling' LAPD Report on May 1 Incident

Tuesday, October 9, 2007 permalink

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The L.A. Police Department's investigation into officers' excessive use of force at MacArthur Park on May 1 is a "constructive step toward addressing the root causes of improper use of force," the ACLU/SC said in a statement today. The long-awaited report was delivered to the L.A. Police Commission five months after officers beat and fired rubber bullets at peaceful protesters. It included some shocking admissions:

- Officers and supervisors believed they were free to use batons and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters who were not moving quickly enough.
- LAPD units have developed their own use-of-force training, without central oversight over what is taught.

"If the Department fails to respond to these systemic problems, then it has slept through another wake-up call," ACLU/SC staff attorney Peter Bibring told the commissioners and dozens of victims of May 1 at City Hall.

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