On January 26, 2025 at about 8 p.m., two Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers were arrested by the Whittier Police Department for assault with a deadly weapon. The Whittier Police Department will conduct the criminal investigation. Investigators from LAPD Internal Affairs responded to the scene to conduct the administrative investigation.
Both officers will be on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation. Because this incident is a personnel matter, the LAPD is prohibited by law from releasing the officers’ names or divulging information from the administrative investigation. The LAPD takes this matter seriously. The LAPD will rigorously investigate this incident and fully cooperate with the Whittier Police Department.
Additional inquiries may be directed to Officer Mike Dekowski, Whittier Police Department spokesman at 562-945-8286.
PAID ADMINSTRATION LEAVE
in others words a paid vacation. What a sham. If anyone wants to know there names read The Times one is 29 the other 38. They should be fired and jailed. I hope this person sues the city and them.
Posted by: CITIZEN | January 27, 2025 at 01:04 PM
Since when is being arrested by an outside agency for a violent felony involving a firearm a "personnel matter"?... When the 6th floor says so.
Posted by: Rabbi Tony Sperl | January 27, 2025 at 02:46 PM
Two Morons. This is what happens when the political correct crowd in City Council and the City Personnel Department lower the standards...
Posted by: Shemp | January 27, 2025 at 10:33 PM
What do you mean you can't release the officers names? This isn't some internal administrative event. This two officers committed a felony crime for which they were arrested! Isn't FOI in play here? If not, why not post the Whittier Police Department's press release here. Sounds like the LAPD is trying to cover-up for their own, and is evidence that the Police Officers Bill of Rights needs to be amended!
Posted by: Thomas Lacklund | January 28, 2025 at 10:25 AM
I don't know the full story and I'm sure this isn't the whole story but for two officers to throw away thier careers because they couldn't control themselves is just a sad situation all the way around. I hope things work out well for both of them...however, thier jobs are pretty much gone and their lives are forever changed. I wish them both the best and I hope they both have a very strong support system to get though what they will be facing for the next few months. Good luck guys.
Posted by: too bad | January 28, 2025 at 02:16 PM
I don't know about the other officer, but the Marine is good police. Maybe we can still keep him on, working behind a desk at PAB? We've done this before for other officers.
Posted by: Albert the Wise | January 28, 2025 at 09:52 PM
Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Wow, some are so quick to condem them... Were any of you people there to see it first hand???
Posted by: JJ | January 28, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Dont feel sorry. These guys aren't cops but they give real cops a bad name. They were cowards with guns and will soon learn what its like to be an inmate at Mens Central Jail. If you two cowards think the deputies are gonna show you any love because you masqueraded as cops all this time, think again. Might find out how tough you two Metro boys are on the inside, without your badge, gun and your shiny little Metro pin on your shirt pocket. Life is gonna get really bad, really soon.
I thought Metro was supposed to be the best of the best. First May Day and now this. Does Metro give extra consideration if an applicant was with MS-13, 18th Street or Drew Street?
Big props to the real cops at Whittier for arresting these gangsters.
Posted by: Joe | January 28, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I'ts not a "Paid Vacation". A single month of pay and then it stops. Just "ONE". These coppers will need to earn money doing whatever until they are cleared at a board of rights. If they are found guilty then they will face discipline. In this case it would probally be termination. Metro guys making headlines again....
Posted by: Bleed Blue | January 29, 2025 at 01:27 PM
Not trying to justify any actions but...........don't you think it is funny that when an officer gets arrested, they are immediately guilty? Interesting. Funny how when a gang member goes to jail, that gang member isn't responsible for his/her actions and is always innocent for some unknown reason. If we keep stoning those who protect us, stand by..........Eventually your police force will be weak individuals and ineffective. Lets hear the whole story, all it says is that they were arrested.....no details. Don't jump to conclusions. I can't believe cops can take this abuse and still help the critics who condemn them the next available chance. What kind of world do we live in?????? Can't wait still our streets are littered with parolees and southern California mirrors Mexico, wait it already does.
Posted by: Jack | January 29, 2025 at 10:12 PM
This new Blog design looks great and the colors make it soothing on the eyes to read for hours. Great job LAPD you guys are always on top of your game with this website. Much more than I can say for the arrested Metro Officers but I’ll wait for the full story before I start to judge the events that have already affected the name of Metro and LAPD.
Posted by: Justice | January 30, 2025 at 01:26 AM
I'm an officer and agree with those that say that we shouldnt jump to conclusions. That being said if these two actually did what they are being accused of I hope they get what is coming. I am so tired of the crap that is coming out of our academy. Two recruits were caught just recently throwing gang signs at each other in the hallway.
The city should worry more about balancing the budget and hiring quality recruits not just quantity for the streets. It sucks that we all have to get our names dragged through the mudd because of two drunken bufoons!
Posted by: P-2 Dog | January 30, 2025 at 08:42 AM
B.V. is a fine young man, true Marine Corps Hero and a great Officer. I would caution all Officers and citizens to wait untill all the facts come out before you opine negatively about these Officers and this situation. NONE of you know the facts and yet you convict these Offiers with zero basis. I find that to be very telling.
I sincerely doubt that B.V. pistol whipped anyone. This is one of the most humble guys I have ever known, and that would be completely out of character. So I doubt it even happened.
And before some malcontent gets on here and waxes about me blindly standing up for the Police Officers in this case. My answer ahead of time is that B.V. deserves my support and he has it! As he also has the support of most of the working Cops in this city. I want to hear about the facts and the back ground of this "victim". WPD was so quick to release the booking photo's of the Officers, so now lets hear the rest of the story?
Posted by: Ed O'Shea | January 30, 2025 at 07:38 PM
Whittier PD's never heard of professional courtesy? Mutual Combat? Medical Emergency Only, Suspects GOA?
Posted by: Sometimes There's Just Us! | January 30, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Just an FYI, the real story is that one of the officers was having an argument with his girlfriend, a bystander got involved and a fight ensued, 3 other individuals jumped on the officer and started pounding him into the ground, the officer's GF went inside to get the other officer who responded and drew his weapon out, the 4 individuals ran and one was caught by the officers where another fight ensued. Nice to see the media not being one sided and everyone jumping on it like the pope said it.
Posted by: Taco | January 31, 2025 at 06:54 PM
Guys, lets call it for what it is. Its two macho knuckleheads who believe they were above the law. This is what happens when there is a failure to communicate. In other words. I'd have more respect for them if the stood up and admitted they made extremely poor decisions. Remember we all all received our first speeding ticket. It was not the first time! Just the first time getting caught.
Posted by: RUC | January 31, 2025 at 08:12 PM
One thing I think would benefit the entire lot of us is publication of the disposition of matters. The papers and radio seldom report the disposition of a case, and the state makes us pay to get it from them, which is ridiculous. I for one need closure. What ever happened to Sean? These stories just open up holes that are never healed...
Posted by: LovesLALEOs | February 01, 2025 at 12:08 PM
I guess in Eddie boy's mind it's ok to hit some with a gun. Even if the guy did interfer with the argument he may have to the dummy knock it off or was watching for some sort of violence. Still you don't have a right to hit someone with your damn gun Eddie!
Posted by: CITIZEN | February 01, 2025 at 01:27 PM
"Sometimes There's Just Us"...are you kidding? You would actually post such a thing where the public can read it? Don't you think the citizens of Los Angeles and everyone who reads this on the internet might get the WRONG idea and think after reading your well thought out Post, that Cops cover for other Cops... even when they should be arrested for 245 for pistol whipping someone? Did you have difficulties getting through the Academy, Mr. Thin Blue Line?
These guys are done working in law enforcement because they have poor judgment who resort to pulling their guns when they are getting their butts kicked... real smart!
Posted by: Joe | February 01, 2025 at 03:29 PM
Good luck guys, I find it amazing how people have little to no clue what really happened, however can be so bias. If the tables were turned and these 2 guys were not cops there would not be an issue. They would be considered by the public as victims, " maybe they had a rough childhood".
What people do not understand is when cops are arrested its not just a bump in the road, maybe miss a day at work,land your name in the paper, pay a fine and move on. Its a complete life altering event. Im not saying these guys were in the right or wrong, I wasnt there and am sure most of you were not either.
Posted by: Mike | February 01, 2025 at 06:13 PM
I agree with Ed. The news always puts there own spin on things. How many times have we been at a call and see it on the news later? And we laugh because it is reported completely wrong? I support these guys until I find a reason not to. Seriously doubt they would throw away everything over an argument with a girlfriend. If gangmembers and parolees are innocent until proven guilty, so are police officers people!
Posted by: south end gal | February 01, 2025 at 06:42 PM
Taco, if your story is true, then why didn't anyone else go to jail? Are you saying WHittier PD only listed to the victim's side of the story?
Posted by: John | February 01, 2025 at 08:22 PM
I agree the media for the most part places a negative spin when a member of this Department be it sworn or civilian is suspected of some wrong doing, I’m glad the Police Foundation foot the bill for this Blog so we can express our views and obtain some insight to some of these postings or issues. I hope both coppers get a fair shake in the investigation, that said some should use caution before they cast stones.
Posted by: Justice | February 02, 2025 at 02:33 PM
Joe and others,
I'm not saying I condone it, but if you were in a heated argument with your girl or wife, and some cholo and his homies butted in and tried to pick a fight, you'd probably pistol whip them (using any means to defend yourself) too and send them running to Target.
You'll never know unless you were in this same situation. So let's not cannibalize our own, gents... Please. Because sometimes there's just us, and we gotta take care of each other, God knows it's a tough calling and the waters are full of sharks who want to crucify us just for fun.
Posted by: Sometimes There's Just Us | February 03, 2025 at 01:00 AM
I'm still having trouble wrapping my mind around the possibility that one of you would disrespect a woman by raising your voice to her in public..that couldn't happen, could it?
Posted by: LovesLALEOs | February 03, 2025 at 02:19 PM