Judge Bars Inglewood From Disciplining Officers

A judge Monday blocked the city of Inglewood from punishing two police officers for their alleged involvement in the July 6 beating of 16-year-old Donovan Jackson.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Bob Hight issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting city officials from taking actions against Officers Bijan Darvish and Antoine Crook. Last week, another judge issued a similar order forbidding the city from firing Officer Jeremy J. Morse, who was caught on videotape slamming Jackson down on a police car and then punching him in the jaw.

The incident brought international notoriety to the Inglewood Police Department.

The orders are effective pending hearings to decide whether preliminary injunctions will be issued against the city. The hearings have been scheduled Aug. 28 for Morse and Aug. 29 for Darvish and Crook.

A Los Angeles grand jury has indicted Morse for assault under color of authority and Darvish for filing a false police report. The city has placed Morse on administrative leave, while Darvish and Crook continue to work.

On Aug. 1, Inglewood Police Chief Ronald Banks announced that Morse, Darvish and Crook would be disciplined, but he refused to reveal what action would be taken.

Defense lawyer Corey Glave said Monday that Darvish and Crook’s punishment could range from reprimand to suspension.

In his request for the temporary restraining order, Glave charged that the city failed to advise the two officers of their rights when they were interrogated. He said the city forced them to write reports about the incident, including their use of force, without informing them of the “nature of the investigation” or of their right to representation.

Glave said Darvish and Crook were denied access to investigators’ records, notes and complaints against them before being interrogated. He also contended that police released Darvish’s photograph to the media without his consent.

Hight ruled that Darvish and Crook might suffer “irreparable injury” if the city is allowed to punish them before the issue can be considered in a formal hearing.

City Atty. Charles Dickerson said Monday, “I respect the judge’s action, but I disagree with the temporary restraining order. We will vigorously defend against the [officers’] applications for a preliminary injunction.”