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June 24, 2004
Associated Press
Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger answers a reporter's question after holding a news conference.
LOS ANGELES ' The Los Angeles Police Department opened a use-of-force investigation yesterday after an officer was captured on live television repeatedly striking an unarmed black suspect with a flashlight after the man appeared to have put up his hands and surrendered.
The videotaped pursuit and arrest immediately prompted comparisons to the 1991 police beating of Rodney King, which also followed a high-
peed chase and ultimately sparked the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles and the FBI opened an investigation into the incident, while Mayor James Hahn and top poli
ce officials scrambled to meet with dozens of the city's black and Latino leaders, prom
ising that the case would be handled much differently than the King case 13 years ago.
"I saw what you saw on that videotape, and it upset me. It made me angry," Hahn told a crowd of reporters and community leaders.
"What I saw jeopardizes the work that we have done to try to build that bond of trust between the department and the community. . . . Today, that bond of trust is going to be tested."
Several black leaders voiced outrage at what they saw on tape, saying the city's handling of the investigation could determine relations between their community and the LAPD, which is already under pressure from the federal government to implement reforms resulting from previous
corruption cases.
"Unless some heads roll, nothing will have been accomplished, and we will return to the same dark, bad old days in the relationship between this community and the LAP
D,&q
uot; said John Mack, president of the Urban League.
The motorist, 36-year-old Stanley Miller, was given medical treatment and
booked on charges of grand theft auto. He suffered abrasions to his face and complained that he had been struck in his head and nose, police said.
The incident began at around 5:13 a.m. yesterday, when Miller was spotted driving a car identified by police as stolen. Officers followed the suspect until he jumped out of the car and ran along a flood-control channel.
On the videotape, Miller could be seen running from his car, then slowing and putting up his hands. The first officer to catch up with him forced him to lie face down on the ground, while a third officer on the scene appeared to try to kick Miller once and struck him 11 times with a flashlight in the hea
d or upper torso.
Police officials refused to identify the race or the number of officers involved. Nine were being questioned, and two to four were expected to be placed on paid adm
inistrat
ive leave, said Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger.
Top police brass portrayed the department's response to the incident as a sign that they
are complying with reforms mandated under a federal consent decree.
The officers involved in the incident were separated so they could not change their stories, and all were interviewed on tape, said Deputy Chief Sharon Papa.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/2...n24beating.html
June 24, 2004
Associated Press
Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger answers a reporter's question after holding a news conference.
LOS ANGELES ' The Los Angeles Police Department opened a use-of-force investigation yesterday after an officer was captured on live television repeatedly striking an unarmed black suspect with a flashlight after the man appeared to have put up his hands and surrendered.
The videotaped pursuit and arrest immediately prompted comparisons to the 1991 police beating of Rodney King, which also followed a high-
peed chase and ultimately sparked the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles and the FBI opened an investigation into the incident, while Mayor James Hahn and top poli
ce officials scrambled to meet with dozens of the city's black and Latino leaders, prom
ising that the case would be handled much differently than the King case 13 years ago.
"I saw what you saw on that videotape, and it upset me. It made me angry," Hahn told a crowd of reporters and community leaders.
"What I saw jeopardizes the work that we have done to try to build that bond of trust between the department and the community. . . . Today, that bond of trust is going to be tested."
Several black leaders voiced outrage at what they saw on tape, saying the city's handling of the investigation could determine relations between their community and the LAPD, which is already under pressure from the federal government to implement reforms resulting from previous
corruption cases.
"Unless some heads roll, nothing will have been accomplished, and we will return to the same dark, bad old days in the relationship between this community and the LAP
D,&q
uot; said John Mack, president of the Urban League.
The motorist, 36-year-old Stanley Miller, was given medical treatment and
booked on charges of grand theft auto. He suffered abrasions to his face and complained that he had been struck in his head and nose, police said.
The incident began at around 5:13 a.m. yesterday, when Miller was spotted driving a car identified by police as stolen. Officers followed the suspect until he jumped out of the car and ran along a flood-control channel.
On the videotape, Miller could be seen running from his car, then slowing and putting up his hands. The first officer to catch up with him forced him to lie face down on the ground, while a third officer on the scene appeared to try to kick Miller once and struck him 11 times with a flashlight in the hea
d or upper torso.
Police officials refused to identify the race or the number of officers involved. Nine were being questioned, and two to four were expected to be placed on paid adm
inistrat
ive leave, said Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger.
Top police brass portrayed the department's response to the incident as a sign that they
are complying with reforms mandated under a federal consent decree.
The officers involved in the incident were separated so they could not change their stories, and all were interviewed on tape, said Deputy Chief Sharon Papa.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/2...n24beating.html