Chief Charlie Beck Responds to Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners’ Decision in the Matter of Mr. Ezell Ford

Los Angeles: "The men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department conduct over one million enforcement contacts every year. They do an incredible job in some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable. Every day I see heroic and selfless actions that bring credit to this City and its Police Department. Occasionally officers are called upon to use force. When that happens those actions are exhaustively reviewed in order to enforce standards and improve training.

The LAPD is known throughout the country for its exceptional thoroughness and expertise in investigating officer involved shootings. Those investigations go through multiple levels of review culminating in a final decision by the Police Commission.

This afternoon the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners announced its decision in the use of force incident involving two Los Angeles Police Department officers and Mr. Ezell Ford.

The Department, with the oversight of the Commission's Office of Inspector General, conducted an exhaustive investigation which included the analysis of forensic evidence, numerous witness interviews, and the collection of documents and electronic recording.

This investigation was then presented to me to make my recommendations to the Police Commission on the tactics, drawing and exhibiting of weapons, and use of force by the involved officers. In addition, the Office of Inspector General provided its independent assessment of the incident with recommendations to the Commission. The Commission then reviewed all of the evidence and recommendations to make the final determination in the case.

The Police Commission is an independent civilian review authority, appointed by the Mayor to represent the people of Los Angeles. I respect the process and the decision made in this matter."

- Chief Charlie Beck

For further information regarding this incident, please refer to LAPDonline.org.

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Comments

[Art]

Without having knowledge of the particulars of this issue, I respect the LAPD's use of force investigation, it's findings and the Chief's concurrence that the officer's actions were within policy.

I find Mr Soboroff to be less than credible based on his past behavior. His history of making comments and recommendations on like OIS and sanctions before the full facts are released.

I also find Mr Soboroff's decision to pose, like a groupie, with Rihanna at Clipper's games unconscionable. Rihanna has been photographed allegedly using illicit substances and wearing clothing apparently endorsing that behavior.

Mr. Garcetti showed a complete lack of fortitude by seemingly wiping his hands of this whole issue. Understandable, none the less, with future visions of political greatness.

God Bless the men and women of the LAPD. I'm sure they are feeling pretty much abandoned at this point by those more involved in political correctness.

[Bwop]

Los Angeles risks becoming a Baltimore, where police officers just leave the station to respond to radio calls. If they make a mistake in law by making an unlawful stop, and are then fed to the "activists' lynch mob", then no one will go out and expose themselves. Also, the PC would have you believe that the officer fighting on the ground with a mentally ill suspect who is trying to take his gun, is allowed to fire his gun in self-defense, but his partner should just stand there with his gun holstered and not get involved. Pure fantasy and devoid of reality.

[RICHARD]

This mob mentality that has overtaken every city across the nation has now come too the city of Los Angeles . Now we have an officer who's life is in the balance because officials have decided that an officer given up as a sacrificial lamb is better than to do the right and just thing . It's amazing how officers across this nation are now the villains and now they are being forced to make a decision ? Is it worth my life , my family ? It's a sad day for Los Angeles as things will only become worse as lawlessness is the choice rather than doing the right thing that is Protecting law Enforcement . These officials have made themselves to be cowards in their decision against one officer . The rank and file of the LAPD have now seen and see what lies ahead for them and it's not looking good for them . This was a good shooting and they had every right respond as they did not just one but both !