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LAPD Plan to Curb Flashlight Beatings
Yahoo news ^ | 12/15/2004 | Unknown

Posted on 12/15/2004 12:25:58 PM PST by Lazamataz

LOS ANGELES - The city's police commission unveiled a plan Tuesday aimed at discouraging officers from using flashlights as weapons, except in emergencies.

The proposal comes months after a telvised beating by Officer John Hatfield showed him striking a motorist 11 times following a foot chase. The June 23 incident sparked widespread objection to the use of flashlights as weapons.

"Officers don't mind being held accountable as long as they have a clear policy to follow, and that's what we're providing here," said Alan Skobin, vice president of the police commission.

The proposed policy, to be considered Jan. 11, stops short of the near-total bans on practice enacted in other large cities. It states that flashlights should only be used for light and should only be used as a weapon in very unusual circumstances.

The proposal seems to permit officers to use flashlights to stop violent suspects, said Bob Baker, president of the Police Protective League, the Los Angeles Police Department officers' union.

"We support policies that, at the end of the watch, mean we are going home safe," Baker said.

Ricardo Garcia, criminal justice director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, said the proposal was a good start.

"But I'd like to see them move away from even this permissive a use of flashlight," Garcia said. "On the positive side, at least this will give officers some training on how if they're going to strike with a flashlight to do it. Before this, they could pretty much do anything."

At the time of the Miller incident, the LAPD had no formal policy on proper use of a flashlight to subdue a suspect.

After the beating, Chief William J. Bratton said he would forbid the use of heavy metal flashlights like the one used by Hatfield. Bratton said the department would develop small, lightweight rubber flashlights, which it is still in the process of doing.

The new proposal would require a written explanation and critical review whenever a flashlight is used as a weapon.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: beating; donutwatch; flashlight; govwatch; lapd; rodneyking
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This is absolutely the single funniest headline I have read all day.
1 posted on 12/15/2004 12:25:58 PM PST by Lazamataz
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To: Sir Gawain; Wolfie; Cap'n Crunch; Southack; Travis McGee; Squantos

Ping for finally addressing the Flashlight Beating issue.


2 posted on 12/15/2004 12:28:30 PM PST by Lazamataz ("Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown" -- harpseal)
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To: Lazamataz

nerf flashlights.

Problem solved!


3 posted on 12/15/2004 12:28:52 PM PST by flashbunny (Every thought that enters my head requires its own vanity thread.)
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To: mhking; Xenalyte

Just.... damn.


4 posted on 12/15/2004 12:29:17 PM PST by Lazamataz ("Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown" -- harpseal)
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To: flashbunny; Conspiracy Guy
nerf flashlights.

Brilliance!

5 posted on 12/15/2004 12:29:54 PM PST by Lazamataz ("Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown" -- harpseal)
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To: Lazamataz
Yeah! What do we do now when our flashlights get out of control or wont obey the overlords? Timeouts? /sarcasm
6 posted on 12/15/2004 12:29:56 PM PST by IllumiNaughtyByNature (Never underestimate the power of a cacophony of Cowbells played in unison...It shocks the mind.)
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To: Lazamataz

anybody know a good patent lawyer???

Next on deck: nerf batons.


7 posted on 12/15/2004 12:30:59 PM PST by flashbunny (Every thought that enters my head requires its own vanity thread.)
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To: Lazamataz

this is just so defense attorneys can't say "so you beat my poor, defenseless client with a steel pipe officer?"

rather than "beat them with an expandable ,steel baton called an ASP."


8 posted on 12/15/2004 12:31:56 PM PST by Rakkasan1 (Justice of the Piece: Hope IS on the way...)
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To: flashbunny
Next on deck: nerf batons

Nerf bullets.

That way, Joyclyn Elders will be happy.

9 posted on 12/15/2004 12:32:02 PM PST by Lazamataz ("Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown" -- harpseal)
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To: flashbunny

10 posted on 12/15/2004 12:32:47 PM PST by OXENinFLA
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To: Lazamataz
The proposal comes months after a telvised beating by Officer John Hatfield showed him striking a motorist 11 times following a foot chase. The June 23 incident sparked widespread objection to the use of flashlights as weapons.

Where is the widespread objection to criminals running....?

11 posted on 12/15/2004 12:33:18 PM PST by hobbes1 (Hobbes1TheOmniscient® "I know everything so you don't have to" ;)
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To: Lazamataz

It's a safety device. Lets you see what you're hitting.


12 posted on 12/15/2004 12:33:32 PM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: Rodney King

How do you feel about this?


13 posted on 12/15/2004 12:33:37 PM PST by Lazamataz ("Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown" -- harpseal)
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To: Lazamataz

So I take it flashlight beatings can only be conducted curbside? Wonder if the gutter counts.


14 posted on 12/15/2004 12:34:06 PM PST by A Navy Vet (CARE PACKAGES for our TROOPS: www.opgratitude.com)
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To: Lazamataz
6-D cell mag-foo on your noggin ain't no joke.

Mag lites are considered a tactical weapon. Keep one within reach.

15 posted on 12/15/2004 12:34:11 PM PST by stainlessbanner
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To: Lazamataz

Personally, I'd like to see the headline "LAPD Plan to Double Flashlight Beatings."


16 posted on 12/15/2004 12:34:11 PM PST by LanPB01
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To: flashbunny
Wait this one is much better...


17 posted on 12/15/2004 12:34:11 PM PST by OXENinFLA
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To: Lazamataz

Well, on the one hand it's a good thing, on the other hand it will be harder for certain people to sue the city.


18 posted on 12/15/2004 12:34:15 PM PST by Rodney King (No, we can't all just get along)
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To: OXENinFLA

needs to be in tactical black...


19 posted on 12/15/2004 12:34:50 PM PST by flashbunny (Every thought that enters my head requires its own vanity thread.)
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Comment #20 Removed by Moderator


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