Two Councilmen, Official Help Subdue Suspect

Two City Council members and a newly appointed member of the Los Angeles Police Commission were involved in a scuffle early Tuesday with a crime suspect who allegedly tried to take a security guard’s gun.

Councilmen Dennis Zine and Greig Smith, both reserve police officers, went on patrol with Commissioner Alan Skobin on Monday night, intending to offer Skobin a tour of police stations in the San Fernando Valley.

Instead, the three responded to a radio call of trouble at Galpin Motors in North Hills, where Skobin is vice president and general counsel. They were drawn into a scuffle that left both elected officials gasping from pepper spray and Smith with “redness to his forehead area,” according to a police report.

Skobin is a reserve with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, police officials said.

The suspect, who was charged with attempting to remove an officer’s weapon, was transported to a hospital for treatment of scrapes.

Police Chief William J. Bratton said Zine and Smith’s actions would be investigated like those of any other officer involved in a use-of-force incident.

“A use-of-force report will be completed and the officers’ tactics will be reviewed,” Lt. John Pasquariello said.

He added that no action would be taken if their conduct was found in policy, but that any training issues would be addressed in the investigation.

Zine said the suspect, whose name was not released, “had superhuman strength.”

“He was yelling incoherently and appeared to be under the influence of some drugs,” said Zine, a former longtime LAPD officer.

Smith said the struggle went on for 30 minutes. “What we did is what [the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department] do every day,” he said.

The incident began about midnight. Zine said he and Smith, both in LAPD uniforms, were cruising in an LAPD patrol car with Skobin when they heard a radio call about an assault nearby.

Zine, who was driving, whipped the car around and sped to Galpin Motors, where he saw a security guard on the ground struggling with a man. He and Smith ran in and joined the fight, he said. They were joined by two LAPD gang officers, several other LAPD officers and a Los Angeles County probation officer.

“We were happy to save the security guard,” Zine said.

Despite staying up until 4 a.m. filling out paperwork pertaining to his use of force, Zine appeared energized by the incident. “It was historical,” he said. “We don’t just talk public safety. We’re walking the walk.”

Police union President Bob Baker praised the actions of the councilmen. “I look at it as a positive,” he said, adding that the elected officials saw up close and personal how dangerous policing can be.

As reserve police officers, Zine and Smith are required to work a few shifts each month. Normally, Zine is assigned to the West Valley station and Smith to Devonshire. But Monday evening they were given permission to work together out of the West Valley station. In keeping with LAPD policy, the two men showed up in uniform and were assigned a patrol car.

It is not the first time Zine has generated attention while in an LAPD uniform. Last fall, the councilman searched a strip club in his district, the Frisky Kitty, after receiving complaints about unsavory characters hanging around.

In response, the club owner filed a $100-million lawsuit against Zine, charging harassment. The council is scheduled to discuss the lawsuit today in closed session. But Zine said last year that he had done nothing wrong.”I think they wanted to frighten me and intimidate me,” he said last year. “We [in law enforcement] don’t get intimidated.”