CRENSHAW : Clinic Helps Victims of Police Misconduct

Police Watch, a legal referral service, has opened a clinic at the Holman United Methodist Church to help citizens who believe they have been victims of police misconduct.

The clinic, which is operated by volunteer attorneys and law students, helps those who want to prepare for trial in small claims court, where plaintiffs represent themselves.

“My vision is to make sure that these clients are prepared,” said Karol Heppe, executive director of Police Watch. “Ninety percent of winning a case is preparation.”

Police Watch is a nonprofit organization founded in 1980 by lawyers and civil rights activists. It receives about 2,000 complaints of police misconduct from Southern California residents every year, Heppe said. About 90% of the people who file complaints with the service either can’t find an attorney or can’t pay for one, Heppe said.

“If you are looking at a case where someone was wrongly incarcerated for one or two days, or emotionally abused, lawyers usually don’t take up those cases,” Heppe said. “Small claims court is an avenue for justice.” Volunteers give advice on processing court documents, courtroom appearance, proper ways to address a judge, and some of the subtleties of arguing a case, such as having all evidence documented, having receipts for damage expenses and medical bills, and using photographs. They also warn plaintiffs that police may lie to protect themselves.

Alicia and Gus Alfaro of Arcadia attended the clinic Nov. 9, its opening day. Alicia Alfaro said that their son, 14-year-old Gus Jr., has been physically and verbally abused on three occasions by the Arcadia Police Department. After filing complaints with the department and contacting the Arcadia City Council, the couple decided to look for an attorney. They said they were surprised when they could not find an attorney willing to take on the case.

Officials of the Arcadia Police Department were unavailable for comment.

“We had no choice but to call Police Watch,” Alicia Alfaro said. “They were the only organization that made us feel any relief. They’ve been very helpful. They made me feel, in talking to them, that what was happening to our son was a violation. We were educated in what we could do, what we would have paid a fortune for an attorney to do.”

Win or lose, victims of police abuse will feel better because of the service, Heppe said. “It’s very entertaining and empowering to (take to court) the people who caused you grief.

The clinic is open every other Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The next session is this Tuesday.

Information: (213) 387-3435.