Los Angeles City Council Considers Ordinance to Limit LAPD’s Use of Crowd Control Weapons
The Los Angeles City Council is set to consider an ordinance that would restrict the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) from using crowd control weapons, such as kinetic energy projectiles and chemical agents, against peaceful protesters and journalists. Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, who represents District 13, is leading the effort to introduce regulations that would prohibit the use of these weapons unless officers are threatened with physical violence.
Background and Context
The proposal comes after a series of incidents where journalists and protesters were injured by LAPD’s use of less-lethal weapons during demonstrations. In one notable case, multiple journalists were shot with non-lethal rounds, tear-gassed, and detained during a protest over the summer. This led to a lawsuit filed by news organizations against the city and the LAPD, alleging that officers had engaged in “continuing abuse” of members of the media.
U.S. District Judge Hernan D. Vera granted a temporary restraining order that restricted LAPD officers from using rubber projectiles, chemical irritants, and flash bangs against journalists, unless they reasonably believed that a suspect was violently resisting arrest or posed an immediate threat of violence or physical harm. However, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell has raised concerns that the definition of a journalist is “ambiguous” and that the preliminary injunction could prevent the LAPD from addressing “people intent on unlawful and violent behavior.”
Proposed Ordinance and Implications
The proposed ordinance would require officers to give clear, audible warnings about safe exit routes during “kettling,” when crowds are pushed into designated areas by police. It would also prohibit the use of kinetic energy projectiles and chemical agents unless officers are threatened with physical violence. The ordinance would apply to the LAPD but not other agencies that may respond to protests, such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department or California Highway Patrol.
The City Council will need to discuss how to craft the rules and address potential liabilities for other agencies that may not follow the policy. As Nick Barnes-Batista, a communications director for District 13, noted, “There are definitely unanswered questions about [how] the city wouldn’t want the city to be liable for other agencies not following policy.” The Council will consider the proposal in November or December, according to Barnes-Batista.
Support for Journalist Protections
The L.A. Press Club, which is involved in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has alleged that journalists were detained and assaulted by officers during an immigration protest in August. The organization has stated that it is prepared to take similar action to address misconduct toward journalists by other agencies. Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez has also expressed support for protecting journalists, stating that “journalism is under attack in this country” and that the city should not “join that assault by undermining court-ordered protections for journalists.”
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