Issue: Should Theodore Briseno, Found Not Guilty in the King Beating Trial, Be Allowed Back on Duty?

Debra Berlin

city worker

No, he shouldn’t be allowed back on the force. I feel what happened in the federal trial was fair, but the pressure within the LAPD and from the public on him wouldn’t be in the best interest of everyone concerned. Maybe he could get a job in another police department somewhere. In L.A. he crossed a line, and people won’t let him forget that.

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Derwin Cox

Los Angeles resident

Since he was cleared of all the charges, sure, why not? . . . He wasn’t fired before the trials started. There wasn’t enough evidence to prove he was guilty. Why not give him a shot? Maybe he’ll actually help the Police Department, now that he has a better perspective on what bad law enforcement tactics are. Going though all this may be a plus.

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Andrew Vu

city information services worker

I think it all depends on what the Police Commission decides. Most people, including myself, don’t know enough about employing police to decide this guy’s fate. Briseno wasn’t fired, so everyone just can’t act as his employer and let him go. It’s not the public’s job to decide that. It should be left to higher-ups.

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Sylvia Orellana

Belmont High School student

No. He should have been found guilty . . . all the policemen were in on the beating. He doesn’t deserve his job back. He’s supposed to serve and protect people, but he hasn’t learned that lesson. Also, people would recognize him in the streets and there would be trouble. He might be endangering himself.