LAPD: No officers to be fired for police beatings at immigration rally; chief wanted 4 fired
By APWednesday, July 1, 2009
LAPD: No officers fired for May Day rally beatings
LOS ANGELES — Officials say none of the Los Angeles police officers who pummeled protesters with batons and opened fire with rubber bullets at a 2007 pro-immigration rally will be fired.
Police Chief William Bratton had asked for the firing of four officers but said Tuesday that the stiffest penalty imposed by a department disciplinary board was a 20-day suspension for one officer.
The chief does not have the authority to remove an officer, he can only send them to a disciplinary panel which decides on punishment.
Attorney Luis Carillo who represents 40 of the demonstrators calls the decision a “slap on the wrist” that “adds insult to injury.”
The melee in MacArthur Park cost the city $13 million in legal settlements.
Information from: Los Angeles Times, www.latimes.com
Tags: California, Los Angeles, North America, United States, Us-may-day-melee, Violence
