LAPD’s Use of Force Could Get Broader Review

The Los Angeles Police Commission may broaden its review of force-related incidents by requiring formal briefings whenever an officer seriously injures somebody, officials said Monday.

The proposal, drafted by Commissioner Dean Hansell, seeks to fulfill a recommendation in the 1991 Christopher Commission report, which suggested police reforms after the beating of Rodney G. King.

Under the proposal, the commission would review “any serious injury resulting from an officer’s use of force” that required a person’s hospitalization.

Since 1995, LAPD officials have investigated and reviewed all such incidents and forwarded their findings to the five-member commission. However, because of staffing issues, the commission has not routinely reviewed those reports.

Hansell’s proposal would require that the commission review so-called law enforcement-related injury reports--the same standard applied to officer-involved shootings.

“Such review is a critical component of the commission’s responsibility to the public,” Hansell said in a report to his colleagues. Hansell said Monday that he believes he has the support of his fellow commissioners. The issue is expected to be discussed Dec. 2.

LAPD officials said there are generally fewer than 60 cases a year in which a person is hospitalized because of an officer’s use of force. If approved, Hansell said, he hopes that the commission’s expanded review process would begin by mid-December.

The most common types of incidents that would be added to the commission’s oversight are nonlethal encounters in which officers use stun guns, batons or bodily force. The commission would determine whether the use of force and the tactics were within department policy.

Hansell said that although the commission has not reviewed the department’s internal reports of such incidents in previous years, its staff has. In only one case since 1995 did LAPD reports show a violation of policy, he said.

Hansell is also seeking to speed up the commission’s and the LAPD’s review of officer-involved shooting cases. Now, the commission reviews officer-involved shootings about 10 months after an incident. He said he would like to see the time cut at least in half.