Videos Of Police Violence Toward Demonstrators Prompt Backlash

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Police Department Thursday asked protesters to file excessive force complaints if they believe they have been the victims of police brutality during the protests. The move comes as videos of such incidents have gone viral, including one video of a woman being held down by more than eight officers and tased in Hollywood.

Other videos have emerged. One showed Los Angeles Sheriff's deputies driving by and firing rubber bullets at a group of teens standing on the sidewalk in Hollywood. Other videos emerged in Hollywood that showed officers charging protestors swinging batons at them and firing rubber bullets at them from close range. At the same time, several reporters have complained of excessive force directed at them as they covered the demonstrations, prompting the Society of Professional Journalists to demand an investigation by the district attorney. LAist reporters complained they were shot with rubber bullets, and punch by officers despite identifying themselves as journalists. A Patch reporter was forced to flee when officers fired into a crowd including individual throwing water bottles toward the police skirmish line.

"Protests, marches and demonstrations over the last several days have been often dynamic and at times dangerous situations for both officers and demonstrators. A number of these gatherings have unfortunately devolved into chaos with rocks, bottles and other projectiles being launched at police officers, who have sustained injuries that range from cuts and bruises to a fractured skull," according to a department statement posted to Twitter.

The department acknowledged viral videos showing protesters struck by officers with batons or shot with rubber bullets. Mayor Eric Garcetti has since said the department will cut back the use of foam projectiles.

According to the LAPD statement, "We are aware of individuals who have posted videos online and on social media depicting encounters with the police, that they believe constitutes excessive force or misconduct during these demonstrations."

Promising to investigation thoroughly and hold officers accountable, the department said anyone who believes they were wrongfully accused of a crime, unjustly injured or experienced officer misconduct can make a complaint by calling the Professional Standards Bureau, 800-339-6868 or the Office of Inspector General, 213-893-6400 or oigcompl@lapdonline.org.

Demonstrators have been sharing the videos on reddit, and the LAPD post generated lots of push back from other users, some of whom urged anyone who was injured to call a lawyer rather than the police.

“It’s nothing but a confirmation of what black activists have been saying for decades — that police abuse and excessive force is real,” said Najee Ali, a longtime South Los Angeles civil rights leader told the Los Angeles Times. “Now, with the spread of social media and everyone having a cellphone, we can actually document what we feel is abuse.

“We finally have the proof.”

Now police commissioners and some City Council members are calling for a prompt review of police tactics at the ongoing protests.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.