LAPD Officer Arrested

Los Angeles:  Today, Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton announced that investigators with the Department's Professional Standards Bureau arrested a 13-year veteran officer early this morning for violating Penal Code Section 149, Assault Under the Color of Authority.

Forty-one-year-old Sean Joseph Meade was arrested at his home around 7:00 A.M. this morning after a non-stop investigation, which began around 2:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 5, 2006.

At approximately 1:25 A.M. on December 5, 2006, Officer Meade and his partner were handling booking procedures for the arrest of a 16-year-old Hispanic male, who had been detained in Chinatown on a curfew violation.  The detainee had been taken to the Central Area Police Station.

After hearing a disturbance between Meade and the arrestee in a juvenile holding room, a third officer alerted the station watch commander who immediately initiated a personnel complaint investigation. The watch commander directed Scientific Investigation Division to take photographs of the holding room, the officer, and the detainee.  The 16-year-old was examined at a local hospital, but he had no apparent injuries.  He remains in custody at juvenile hall as police have not been able to locate his parents or a responsible guardian.

At the time of the incident, the officers and the watch commander were unaware that a camera, which had been set up near the holding room to obtain evidence of vandalism to chairs in the detective squad room, captured a portion of the assault.

Investigators and technicians enhanced the videotape and viewed it. Upon being notified of the preliminary findings, Chief Bratton ordered that Officer Meade be relieved of duty, which occurred at 8:00 P.M. on December 6, when the officer reported for duty at the police station. His badge, gun and police identification were taken.

After viewing the tape himself later that evening, Chief Bratton ordered the officer’s arrest.  Prosecutors from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Justice System Integrity Division (JSID) have been informed of the investigation, as has the Mayor’s office, Inspector General, the Police Commission, and the FBI.

The criminal and disciplinary investigations are ongoing.  State law limits the amount of information the police department can disclose from a peace officer personnel complaint investigation, including the videotape of the incident.

Download dec_7_press_conference_audio.wma

Comments

[innocentbystander99]

>> Hey WatchtheWatchCommander

Nice comment towards policewoman, how stupid can a police officer be that after so long on the job they are actually still working the streets being a "police officer". They should already have promoted high enough to be doing something more important and beneficial to the community, like shuffling papers working inside the buildings like you probably do, right?

I agree, all real "police officers" should aspire to promote out of patrol as soon as possible - you can't abuse citizens if you never interact with them, and the pay is probably better :)

[Neutral]

Recruit: I will neither defend nor villify Officer Meade on this, because the jury has not returned a verdict.

This being said, While I admire your naive devotion to truth, justice and the American Way, you might want to try actually being the subject of a personnel complaint, or an administrative or criminal investigation before you give an expert opinion on it.

The Chief's office will pull your gun and badge in an instant if it fits the political agenda of this city, and it might benefit you to remember that before you go trusting the Department's good will and intentions.

Captain Smiths comments on this issue are appreciated, since he has a reputation for honesty and integrity with his ground troops.

[P]

Time Cop- With all due respect...Watch what you say about patrol. We are the backbone of the department. Pushing a black and white is one of the best jobs in the world. It's much better than being inside where most of the department is (no matter how much time you have on).

Lt De La Torre-
I can see that you try to respond to posts when you can so hopefully you can be the one person who can give me a no nonsense answer. The department spent millions of dollars on the new MDT's in our cars. They freeze up, they have worse reception than the old ones, and trying to run more than one car in a minute will almost shut it down. I have worked a Z car for over 2 years and though I keep my head out of the MDT it is still a very important tool for us. With the old MDT's our Unit History would show on average approx 500 data base inquires a night. Now our average is approx 200-300. It is apparent to me that these computers weren't properly tested in patrol. My partner and I followed a car for over 90 seconds before we discovered (via MDT) it returned c37. 90 seconds is a long time. I keep getting told that the department is working on the problem and how great these MDT's will be with all the things they are capable of. I don't see how great they will be when you add more software when we can't even get an Incident History out of them. I realize that in a department this size things take time, but this is an officer saftey issue. I keep seeing press releases of all this cool new equipment we are going to get (GPS launchers for tracking pursuits, license plate reading cameras, etc) but why can't our basic tools (rovers and MDT's) work properly? So here is my question to you (which I hope I can get a real answer instead of the normal LAPD answers I've been getting). What is being done to fix these new computers? How long will it take?

PS:If nothing is being done to fix them, can I please get one old MDT back?

Thank you sir.
-P

[Lt. De La Torre]

P-

I will certainly look at the very legitimate concerns you raised and give you a straight forward answer.

[chonchers]

Ed O'Shea
Do you have to be so one sided on every issue that comes along. For once in your life stay neutral. If he's innocent, great, if he's not, then I hope he gets burned. Anyway, didn't some copper try to find you in all of the south end and know one knew who you were at each and every division. I don't know about you, but everybody on the job pretty much knows who the hard chargers at each division is, and apparently, you are not one of them. So shut your hole and let the facts reveal themselves, your rhetoric is beyond old. To all you "real" warrior cops stay safe and know where you're at.

A "real south-end copper"

[Winston L. Jeffers]

I want to congratulate Chief Bratton Asst. Chief McDonnell for a job well done I am a Canadian from Montreal and I have visited Los Angeles before and I am intending on comming back to Los Angeles again your city is very safe and if you both come to Montreal you will know it is one of the most saftest cities in the world.

[P]

Lt De La Torre

Thank you for your time, I know your a busy man.
-P

[Chonchers 2]

For all those out there that question Mr O'Shea's credibilty...I would like to silence the critics. He is a an LAPD officer that has worked the Valley but never the South End.

[Ed O'Shea]

Hey "Chonchers,"
I am a warrior. A super Warrior cop that goes to war with other warriors who are warrior cops. I like to stay safe with other warrior cops.
Maybe one day you'll put on a uniform and know what it's like to strap on your bayonet and be a warrior cop. Valley coppers can be warriors since that is actually where I work.
In conclusion, I like warriors and warrior cops. All warrior cops are always innocent.
Stay warrior safe out there...

Valley warrior cop Ed O'Shea

[David G.]

P- regarding the new Laptops (MDT'S).. I know couple of people that work in a certain dept in the city. The bottom line is, POLITICS. It's smoke and screen, the city asks the dept for there input on what is a good equipment to buy and what would works well.. But the final word what we get is up to the politicians..The guy wearing the 3-piece Armani suit, who is alseep at his gated house at 3AM, and not out on the streets actually using the equipment he orders for all the officers. It's all about what would a company do for the politician if the politician orders all of our equipment from his company...Just like your police radios where people in the police dept tested them and said, these are not the best ones to go with..It's like you wearing your left shoe on your right foot. It will fit, but it certainly would not be comfortable all the time.. So unless the city gives more voice to the people who use them everyday and fix them everyday, you will always run into problems with equipment. The politician is not there to go with the most compatible equipemnt that will work for patrol, he is there to see what he will get out of the deal..

[Clock Watcher]

Regarding the MDTs, how long and how extensively were the new ones tested before they replaced the older ones? What was the bidding process?

New equipment is a waste of the city's funds if it doesn't do what it's supposed to be doing. It doesn't help those who need it either.

[Dis and Dat]

Will the REAL Ed O'Shea please stand up?

In your first post, you said:
(and yes I am an LAPD South Central Police Officer)

In the following response, you signed off as:

Valley warrior cop Ed O'Shea

Which Bureau do you actually work in???

[ndknight]

Sean, if you're reading this, call my parents in LaCrescenta and give them your number so I can give you a call.

It's easy to kick someone when they're down.

Meade was my FTO while I was a boot in Newton. Although he treated me "traditionaly," I never saw him do anything like this. I hope there is more to this story than what's circulating.

To all the 3-02 Class, stay safe and I hope you're all doing well.

[Lawgirl]

Notwithstanding, I'm sure that Meade has a lot to answer for. However, he is just a slice of the perverbial social pie. If there was a reason or extenuating circumstance that would trigger him to react in such a way, let him say it in court with council. Like any other citizen. I know lots of people right now who are struggling right now. It is the hardest time of the year and is not a holiday full of goodness and cheer for so many people right now.

I certainly hope that the Department has put officers under such intense pressure, if there are any other stressors this time of year which are common, finances, family issues, separation etc...it can be a trigger to inappropriately vent.

And his actions, on face value, were inappropriate. But if he truly needs help, I honoestly hope he gets it, or is offered it. No matter how this scenario plays out. I attend court quite often, and see attorneys slinging deals left and right for violent criminals for much less. I hope the same effort is afforded to him.

It doesnt matter who it is, public, or public servant. This is the time to look out for each other, and take notice if our friends and cowerkers are showing signs of stress. Things like this can be avoided in the future possibly

[INFORMATIONAL]

Ed O'Shea--
LIKE MENTIONED BEFORE HAND TO BY THE "RECRUIT".IF THE TAPE PROVED HIM TO BE "INNOCENT" HE WOULD BE IN THE KIT ROOM...

USE YOUR BRAIN...DON'T YOU THINK THAT MAYBE IT WAS JUST A SCREEN NAME SMARTY PANTS. RECRUITS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE WEB PAGE YET...COME ON STREET COP DO A LITTLE FOLLOW-UP WORK FOR ONCE...
IF YOU THINK THEY GET HUGGED AT THE ACADEMY THEN TRY TO GET A SPOT THERE. BUT OF COURSE YOU MOST LIEKLY ARE TOO GOOD FOR THE ACADEMY WITH ALL YOUR STREET TIME AND BY THE SOUND OF IT BAD TIME TOO.

[Harry]

hey informational,
u can get to this web site from any computer. u dont need to be a full police officer to get on the web page. all people smart and dumb can access it..in you case dumb i guess.

[Ed O'Shea]

Hey detective INFORMATIONAL you sound like you wouldn't know a day of real Police work if it bit you where the sun don't shine! Get your facts straight before you opine! The LAPD blog is accessible through ANY Internet connection, I.E., a home computer smart guy! Stop drinking the cool aid and extract your head from the sand, the view is much clearer out here! s for using the blog at work, unlike you, I don't have tiome while I am working to play around on the blog! And as for the Academy, where have I ever criticized the instructors up there? They do a great job with the tools they are given but they know what the real deal is, and their hands are tied as to what they can teach or say! As for my name, and Division of assignment, you slaps really were on the short end of the gene pool if you think that I would use my real name on this blog? With this departments record of treating Officers like criminals and the record of retaliation against Officers? And hey "Chonchers" where do you work hard guy, and what's your REAL name? Because I have NEVER heard of you? I know who the grunts are in every southend division but I have never heard of you????? And judging by you and some of these other code 37 uniforms, your one of those guys playing hide and seek for 2 grand a week! DOING THE BARE MINIMUM! I'll be waiting for your name, division and serial number to appear in your next post tough guy! That way we will see how much of a hard charger you are, or are not? No one has ever asked about me anywhere in OSB, and why would they (the brass) if this blog is supposed to be transparent and open? Fight off the urge to be weak every day of your life!

And to the REAL and working Police officers (Warriors) stay safe! And be careful, you might be partnered up with one of these moe's! If that happens, your on your own until we get there!

Ed O' Shea

[Clock Watcher]

I believe that the job of a training officer is the most important position in this departmant. Beyond the Chief of Police or any of the brass. I have the responsibility of teaching and guiding new officers. It is my job to translate the words of our Core Values to my probationers into a functioning reality everyday, as difficult as that might be.

Yes indeed. Thank you for writing this.

I'm sure if you didn't report racism and sexism in the LAPD that you saw or experienced, you probably had a reason. In reality, doing so may be in accordance with a department's policy and procedures. However, doing so can also be used and often is against those who complain. For some, it might be a difficult and highly personal decision to make.

[ron]

I am a 59 yr old black male who lives Baldwin Hills, Windsor Hills
part of town. I am troubled by the term "WARRIOR COP". Some people might take that to mean that sometimes when the police are accused of using too much force it could be true.

[Line Reserve Guy]

Ron, "Warrior Cop" only refers to a Warrior mentality against the bad guys and protecting you and your family from them. I have met and seen first hand many South End LAPD Officers in very tough situations and every single one of them have always been extremely professional and respectful to all the members of the community they serve, regardless if that same respect was not shown to them. Knowing the LAPD as I do, its hard to fathom why they are constantly second guessed by the world for the percieved mistakes or real mistakes of some. People are people and sometimes people make mistakes, but all in all, the LAPD is one of the best Police organizations in the world. I have not met one LAPD Officer who didn't get into this tough job for any other reason than to help people and fight crime....and they are very good at both!

[P-2 DAWG]

HEy why all the complaining about cameras???? Do whats right, cameras or no cameras and you have nothing to worry about. I know Sean Meade and was very suprised to hear his name with this incident, but hey if you do wrong, then we do not need you on this team.

There is alot of complaining about integrity stings too, but that the way of life, we brought it upon ourselves, so we shall live with it and again just do what right, especially when no one is looking...I spent a year at Newton Div and loved it and you do not have to be an "ADAM HENRY" to get the job done out there...People will respect you if you respect them and even if they don't respect you who cares, just go do your job...And when you take some one to jail, you have just put a win in the win column because knucklehead is going to jail...

To my fellow coppers be safe out there and remember, do whats right, even when no one is looking and we will not put our team in such a comprimising position. I love this department and I love my job and woould never trade it for the world...

[Clock Watcher]

ron, that is a good point.

Many experts say that the use of nicknames like you mentioned may serve as a red flag to keep in mind when examining the records of law enforcement officers who may engage in excesive force.

That's assuming that those individuals who use those terms here are actually law enforcement officers which may or may not be the case.

[an officer and citizen]

It is pretty pathetic how the officers on this blog "bash" each other. I agree that there is a difference between officers that work south bureau and valley bureau. The quantity of violence you are exposed to in south bureau is far more than in the valley.

Nevertheless, we are all peers doing the same job whether it be in nickerson gardens or on blythe street.

Officers as well as the public read all of these posts and it is pretty unsettling to see the lack of respect for each other because we can hide behind a computer.

[Just starting out]

Don't Worry Ron,
The warrior cop mentality is fairly old school and I really don't know anyone of the newer generation that has it. I am a South End officer (only 5 yrs on) and most of my co-workers are intellegent people that fully believe in community policing. They are able to interact in a positive way with community memebers but if need be, they are also able to handle themselves against the numerous violent and dangerous criminals out there. I don't know anyone that starts off their shift by saying, "Okay lets go to war, strap on your boots!" I also don't think that when Mr O'Shea (The Real One) refers to "Warrior Cop", he means it in a negative way.

[ron]

I want to THANK both officers who took the time to explain the the term "WARRIOR COP". It means a lot to a citizen when a police office take the time to talk to you and give you an answer to a question. I think the more question that are asked and explained the way these two officer explained my question
does a lot. Also "LET BE SAFE OUT THERE"