Los Angeles Police Board Recommends Firing Officer for Flashlight Beating

ASSOCIATED PRESS



LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A seven-year police veteran who was videotaped beating a suspected car thief with a flashlight should be fired for misconduct, a Los Angeles Police Department Board of Rights ruled Friday.

The board, consisting of two captains and a civilian, found Officer John Hatfield guilty of misconduct by using ''unnecessary force'' in last year's incident, Officer Kathy Simpson said.

The board will submit its recommendation of termination to Police Chief William Bratton for final review.

''He can accept the board's decision or reduce the penalty,'' Simpson said.

Hatfield, 36, remained on paid ''home assignment'' pending the review, she said. The Police Department's public affairs office did not have phone numbers for Hatfield and he could not be located for comment.

Hatfield struck Stanley Miller 11 times with a flashlight following a high-speed pursuit on June 23, 2004. The officer, who is Hispanic, was videotaped by television news cameras hitting Miller, who is black.

No other officers struck Miller, but the incident drew comparisons to the 1991 videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King by four white officers following a traffic stop.

The district attorney's office declined to file criminal charges against Hatfield, citing lack of evidence.

Four other officers who were at the scene received unpaid suspensions ranging from four to 15 days. A fifth officer was placed on paid home assignment pending a Board of Rights hearing.

In January, Bratton pushed through a new policy prohibiting officers from using their flashlights as weapons except in emergency situations.

1.  Don't post this on the AZ Hometown Forum

2.  WTF?  All I ever read here is about the thck blue line of protection, guess it isn't as thick as the bashers would have you believe.

3.  Took them long enough, with that video it should have taken them about 2 days to bounce him out.  Guess you have to give LEO their due process even if most here don't think so.  

1.  Don't post this on the AZ Hometown Forum

2.  WTF?  All I ever read here is about the thck blue line of protection, guess it isn't as thick as the bashers would have you believe.

3.  Took them long enough, with that video it should have taken them about 2 days to bounce him out.  Guess you have to give LEO their due process even if most here don't think so.