LAPD Blog

Notes from the March 15, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

•    Police Commission President John Mack attended the 10th annual awards ceremony for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Southern California Chapter.  He congratulated the two Department employees honored at the ceremony and said it was a tremendous event.

•    Police Commission Vice President Alan Skobin attended the Los Angeles Police Protective League’s training conference over the weekend.  He said it was a good session and covered topics such as bias policing.

•    Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman attended the LGBT Community Forum last week as said it was a great event.  He commended the Department for being extremely responsive to the issues raised.

•    Police Chief Charlie Beck thanked all the Commissioners for their attendance at Department events over the past few weeks.  He said it was a tribute to the Commission’s hard working nature.  He added the current sworn number of officers on the Department was 9,918 and civilian employees were at 2,862.

•    The verbal presentation and update from the Commanding Officer and Community Police Advisory Board (C-PAB) representative regarding community initiated problem solving, crime strategies, and other programs and goals within the West Los Angeles Area was given by Captain Evangelyn Nathan.  Captain Nathan informed the Board the C-PAB has grown its youth programs to include the Cadets, PAP’s, and Jeopardy programs.  Other successful programs offered by the West LA C-PAB were the Neighborhood Watch and the Traffic Committee.  Captain Nathan added the 2011 goals were to reduce property crime, increase youth programs and to continue to diversify the WLA C-PAB.

•    The Department’s report, dated March 8, 2011, relative to the transmittal of the grant application for the 2010-11 Law Enforcement Specialized Units Program (LESUP) grant from the California Emergency Management Agency, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.

•    The Department’s report, dated February 25, 2011, relative to transmittal of grant application for the 2010-2011 Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.

•    The Department’s report, dated March 8, 2011, relative to First Amendment to professional services agreement C-117765 with LexisNexis to provide computer assisted legal research services, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor. 

Police Commission President John W. Mack's Comments On Rampart Use Of Force Incident

Today, Los Angeles Police Commission President John W. Mack stated the following:

Today, my fellow Police Commissioners and I completed the long and extremely difficult task of carefully reviewing and making a decision regarding the Categorical Use of Force incident which resulted in the death of Mr. Manuel Jaminez on September 5, 2010.  This has been a particularly difficult and sad incident for all involved…Mr. Jaminez’s family, the involved officers, and for the community. The loss of any life is tragic and we deeply value the lives of all residents of our diverse city.

We want to thank the members of the Los Angeles Police Department who have conducted a very comprehensive investigation regarding this incident which was essentially put on a “fast track” by Chief Beck, leading us to where we are today.  We also want to thank the members of the community for their deep interest and great concern, and their personal time devoted at community meetings and events regarding this incident.  The involvement of Consul Generals and their staff members has been greatly appreciated during this difficult time. And, of course, we want to thank our Inspector General Nicole Bershon for her immediate and consistent oversight throughout the entire investigation. 

At LAPD, Categorical Use of Force incidents are investigated by Force Investigation Division and Use of Force Division. Based upon the findings, the Chief of Police prepares his recommendations for the Police Commission.  The Inspector General reviews the Chief’s recommendations and prepares an independent analysis with recommendations for the Police Commission. When my fellow Police Commissioners and I review and adjudicate each case, we receive the information from all sources within the LAPD and the Inspector General’s Office.  It is an extensive investigation process which embodies civilian oversight throughout.

Through the Inspector General, the Police Commission releases abridged summaries of Categorical Use of Force incidents to the public. That report will be posted to LAPDOnline.org by close of business on Monday, March 21, 2011. Let me begin by providing a very brief overview of the events that led to this Categorical Use of Force incident.

On Sunday, September 5, 2010, at approximately 1:00 p.m., three officers assigned to the Rampart Bicycle Unit, were responding to a radio call regarding a disturbance at Wilshire Boulevard and Alavarado Street. While en route, they were then flagged down by a man who informed them there was a man in the vicinity of 6th Street and Union Avenue armed with a knife. The officers continued westbound on 6th Street on their bicycles to Union Avenue where they encountered a man with a knife threatening passers-by.  The officers dismounted from their bicycles and approached the suspect.  Mr. Jaminez was ordered several times in both English and Spanish to drop his knife.  Mr. Jaminez did not follow the officers’ orders and raised the knife and moved toward one officer who fired two shots.  Mr. Jaminez fell to the ground.  A knife was recovered at the scene. Further details regarding the incident will be contained in the Inspector General’s abridged summary.

I am confident when I speak for my fellow Commissioners, that our review of this case has been exhaustive, conclusive and has left no stone unturned.  Each of us made our decisions based on our best understanding and careful objective analysis of the preponderance of the evidence revealed, without prejudging the actions or motives of the officers.

As in all Categorical Use of Force cases, the Police Commission receives a recommendation from the Chief of Police in three categories: 1) tactics; 2) drawing of the weapon; and 3) the use of force. The Police Commission then reviews, evaluates, and determines the appropriateness of the three aspects of the incident.

The following findings are those that were recommended by Chief Beck and were adopted unanimously by the Police Commission.

Tactics
As it relates to the tactics in this incident, the Police Commission found that the tactics employed by the three officers were in policy, with a tactical debriefing.

Drawing Of The Weapon
Relating to the drawing of the weapon, the Police Commission found that the drawing of the weapon by the three officers was in policy.

Use Of Force
Regarding the use of force, or firing of the weapon, the Police Commission found that the use of force by one officer was in policy.

My fellow Commissioners and I are deeply committed to the openness of the investigative process and accountability to the community, while still balancing the legal protections afforded peace officer personnel records and the release of information. Pursuant to California law, my fellow Commissioners and I, along with those who were present in closed session, are unable to divulge the details discussed during that meeting. 

On behalf of my colleagues, again, I wish to thank the community as well as the members of the LAPD for their demonstrated concern, patience, and compassion during this difficult process.

Thank you.

Four People Shot Near Popular Nightclub

Los Angeles: Four people were shot during a disturbance near a nightclub early Sunday morning.

On March 13, 2011, at about 3:00 a.m., Hollywood Area Officers received a radio call of "Shot's Heard” in the 1900 block of North Cahuenga Boulevard.  

When the officers arrived at the location they found four victims suffering from gunshot wounds.  
Witnesses reported seeing a fight break out in front of a nightclub that erupted in gunfire.  When the shooting began the witnesses ran for cover, and some of them boarded a Party Bus that was parked nearby.   The Party Bus then drove off to avoid becoming involved in the shooting incident.  

Victim one, a female White, 22-years of age from North Hollywood, suffered a gunshot wound to her buttocks; Victim Two, a male Black, 46-years of age from Riverside, suffered a graze wound to the side of his head; Victim Three, a female Hispanic, 21-years of age from Riverside, suffered a graze wound to her head, and Victim Four, a male Black, 29-years of age from Atlanta Georgia, suffered a gunshot wound to his leg.  All of the victims were transported to a local hospital and all were listed in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.

Officers were able to locate the Party Bus and determined that none of the occupants on the bus were suspects in the shooting.  

The shooting suspect is described as a male Black, early 20’s, thin build, blue and white shirt, his hair styled with multiple twists held with small rubber bands.  

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Hollywood Area Detectives, Detective Kevin Becker at 213-213-972-2967.During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Man Trying to Catch Bus, Is Run Over and Critically Injured

Los Angeles:  A man apparently running to catch a bus was run over and seriously injured by that bus.

On March 12, 2011, at around11:25 a.m., Namar Burton, a 22-year-old Murrieta resident, was attempting to catch his bus at the corner of McCadden Place and Yucca Street. The party bus Burton had been on began traveling southbound on Yucca Street, and then turned eastbound onto McCadden Place, when Burton was hit.

The cause of the collision has not been determined and is still under investigation.

The Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and transported Burton to a local hospital where he was being treated for his injuries and was listed in grave condition.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact West Traffic Division Detectives at 213- 473-0234. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Woman Killed in Parking Lot by Delivery Truck

Los Angeles:  A 60-year-old woman was hit and killed Saturday morning by a delivery truck backing up to a loading dock.

On March 12, 2011, at about 8:30 a.m., Choon Balk from Los Angeles was walking across a market parking lot in the 100 block of North Western Avenue when she was run-over by the backing delivery truck.

The Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded and pronounced Balk dead at scene.  

The exact cause of the collision is still under investigation, but it appears to have been a tragic accident. No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact West Traffic Division Detectives at 213-473-0234. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Driving-Under-the-Influence Sobriety Checkpoint Vehicle Impound Protocols Revised

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has announced revisions to the vehicle impound protocols utilized during Driving-Under-the-Influence (DUI) sobriety checkpoint operations.

The purpose of DUI checkpoints the Department conducts is to detect and apprehend those in the community who are driving while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. DUI checkpoints are proven and effective public safety tools that save lives.

During DUI checkpoints, officers may encounter unlicensed drivers. When these situations occur, officers will attempt to identify the registered owner of the vehicle. If the registered owner is present or is able to respond to the scene within a reasonable period of time, the vehicle will be released to the registered owner, providing he or she is a licensed driver. If the registered owner is unlicensed, the owner may authorize release of the vehicle to a licensed driver at the scene, and the unlicensed driver will be issued a citation. When the vehicle cannot be released to a licensed driver, the vehicle will be impounded.

For further information, please contact the LAPD Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.