Los Angeles Police Brutality Lawyer
The Los Angeles Police Department has a long history of police brutality. Many instances involving police officers using excessive force end in injuries and even death. The problem is so widespread that the city budgets for claims and settlements relating to police misconduct and brutality.
A Washington Post examination of police brutality lawsuits found that Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York lead the nation with a combined total of settlements and judgments estimated at more than $2.5 billion. A review of the 2023-2024 Los Angeles budget shows that estimated payouts for police liability claims are over $105 million. In 2023, three of the city’s most expensive settlements arose from law enforcement’s use of excessive force. Those settlements were all in the millions of dollars.
If you or someone you know is a victim of police brutality, a Los Angeles police brutality lawyer can explain your legal options and potentially represent you in a claim.
Were you or a loved one a victim of police brutality?
Attorneys that work with Police Brutality Center may be able to assist you.
Content Last Updated: November 19, 2024
History of Police Violence in Los Angeles
The city of Los Angeles has a history of police brutality and racial profiling dating back to the late 1950s. In 1958, 80 complaints of police brutality were filed through official channels. However, only two instances were determined to be justified. Ongoing concerns brought by Black residents were largely dismissed, creating resentment in the community.
In 1965, the Watts Rebellion occurred. Over six days of riots shook Los Angeles as people took to the streets to protest the arrest of a Black man who was hit in the face with a police baton after being pulled over for driving while intoxicated.
A more recent example of uprisings concerning police brutality is the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Rodney King was arrested for driving while intoxicated. During his arrest, police officers mercilessly beat him and used a stun gun, causing extensive injuries. Criminal charges were filed against the police officers involved in the arrest, but a jury acquitted all four. That sparked the riots, which required assistance from National Guardsmen and Marines to bring order back to the city.
Since 2000, over 1,000 people have died from police brutality in Los Angeles. In 2022, there were only 10 days when police didn’t kill someone in the U.S.
Notable Cases of Police Brutality in Los Angeles
There are numerous cases involving police brutality and excessive force in Los Angeles. Here are a few of the most notable.
Keenan Anderson
Keenan Anderson was involved in a car accident in early January 2023. He sought help from a nearby police officer on a motorcycle, who arrived at the scene to assist. The police officer told Anderson to sit on the sidewalk, where he exhibited signs of mental distress. Anderson started to walk away from the scene, and police officers grabbed him and tased him multiple times. He was handcuffed, hogtied, and sent to a hospital, where he suffered a cardiac arrest and died shortly after.
Dijon Kizzee
In 2020, two Los Angeles sheriff deputies stopped a 29-year-old Black man, Dijon Kizzee, while riding his bicycle. Police stopped Kizzee because the bike allegedly violated the city’s vehicle code. After being stopped, Kizzee attempted to run away. During his escape, he dropped a bundle of clothes containing a black handgun. At that point, both police officers opened fire and killed him.
Eric Briceno
In 2020, a mentally ill man, Eric Briceno, tried to attack his elderly father while he was under the influence of a controlled substance. Police responded to the home and found Briceno asleep. They tried to arrest him, but Briceno fought back, and deputies used pepper spray and tasers to restrain him. They then handcuffed him and used a hobble restraint, causing his breathing to stop. Attempts at CPR were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Rodney King
King was arrested in 1991 after driving while intoxicated. He led police on a high-speed car chase before stopping. The arresting officers used excessive force, hitting King repeatedly with police batons and fracturing his skull and cheekbone. A resident filmed the beating and forwarded it to a local TV station, which aired the footage. Major national television networks later picked up the story. The officers were indicted for assault, but a jury later acquitted them. The acquittal sparked six days of fiery riots in Los Angeles.
Police Reform and Misconduct Laws in Los Angeles
The city of Los Angeles recognizes the impact that police brutality and the use of excessive force can have on victims and communities. In recent years, the city has enacted several laws to deter police brutality.
California Act to Save Lives, 2019 - A.B. 392
The California Act to Save Lives, enacted in 2019, sets specific standards for when police officers may use deadly force. It requires officers to use de-escalation techniques during confrontations, including persuasion and crisis intervention. It only allows deadly force when all other efforts fail.
C.R.I.S.E.S. Act
The C.R.I.S.E.S. Act gives the California Department of Social Services funding for pilot programs in which community organizations provide emergency response services for crisis situations to reduce reliance on law enforcement. The pilot programs offer community-based alternatives to police.
Decertify Abusive Police and Strengthen Civil Liability for Police Violence - S.B. 731
This bill aims to establish a process for decertifying police fired for misconduct, including using excessive force. Under the proposed law, fired police officers would be unable to transfer to other police departments, and their names would be kept in a nationwide database with notes on the reason for their separation from the service.
Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission
In 2016, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors implemented the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission to improve public transparency and community engagement concerning the Los Angeles Police Department. The Commission holds regular meetings and encourages families of victims lost to police brutality to speak.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Civil Rights Cases in Los Angeles?
If a California police officer has used excessive force against you, California’s personal injury statute of limitations gives you two years from the incident date to file a lawsuit. Claims involving property damage sustained in a police brutality case have a statute of limitations of three years.
Los Angeles Police Brutality Lawsuit
To initiate a police brutality lawsuit in Los Angeles, speak with an experienced attorney. A seasoned Los Angeles police brutality lawyer can review your case and explain your legal options. If you decide to proceed with a lawsuit, your attorney will gather the appropriate evidence to support your claim.
Before filing a lawsuit, your attorney may recommend you file a misconduct complaint with the Los Angeles Police Department. You may file the complaint in person at any police facility, the Internal Affairs Group, the Office of the Inspector General, or the Police Commission. Complaints also may be submitted online or via phone. Once you have filed a complaint, the Los Angeles Police Department will launch an investigation of the incident.
You also may want to review resources available for police brutality victims.
Why Work With a Police Brutality Lawyer?
Police brutality is a serious matter that has harmful consequences for victims. Hiring an attorney may enhance your chances of obtaining compensation for your injuries and getting justice against officers who wronged you. A Los Angeles police brutality lawyer understands the California legal system’s intricacies. They can provide skillful representation during the claims process and fight on your behalf for relief.
Get Legal Assistance in a Police Brutality Case
While Los Angeles and the state of California are introducing new legislation to protect residents from police brutality, it continues to be a major problem in the community. If you or a loved one is the victim of police brutality or misconduct, you may be eligible for compensation.
Contact Police Brutality Center to connect with a Los Angeles police brutality lawyer who can review your case and assist you through the legal process.
