Los Angeles Police Brutality and Civil Rights Lawyer
The Los Angeles Police Department has a long history of police brutality. Many of these encounters involve excessive use of force and have resulted in serious injuries and deaths. The problem is so widespread that the city allocates millions of dollars each year for police misconduct claims and settlements.
A Washington Post analysis found Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York have together paid more than $2.5 billion in police misconduct settlements and judgments. The city’s 2023–2024 budget projected more than $105 million in payouts for police liability claims. In 2023, three of the city’s highest settlements came from excessive force cases.
If you or someone close to you was harmed by police brutality, a Los Angeles police brutality lawyer can explain your legal rights, guide you through your options, and advocate for you in a claim.
Attorneys that work with Police Brutality Center may be able to assist you.
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Content Last Updated: March 30, 2026
Why Choose a Los Angeles Police Brutality Lawyer?
Police brutality can leave lasting physical and emotional scars on victims. Working with an attorney can improve your chances of recovering compensation and pursuing justice against those responsible. Police brutality cases are particularly complex, especially because officers and departments are shielded by qualified immunity, setting a high bar to overcome.
A Los Angeles police brutality lawyer understands the laws involved and California’s complex legal landscape. They can conduct a thorough, independent investigation, gather key evidence, advocate for your best interests, and stand by you throughout your case.
If you’ve been the victim of police misconduct in Los Angeles, Police Brutality Center can connect you with a knowledgeable and skilled lawyer who can advise you of your legal options and advocate for you in your pursuit of justice.
Connect With Our Experienced Attorneys
Police Brutality Center is proud to partner with Alex Straus, Chair of the Civil Rights Department at Milberg PLLC, and Solomon Radner at Radner Law Group to help victims of civil rights abuses.
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 attempted 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 (AB 392), enacted in 2019, raised the legal standard for deadly force from ‘reasonable’ to ‘necessary.’ It requires officers to utilize de-escalation techniques and other resources when safe and feasible. Under this standard, deadly force is permitted only when there is no reasonable alternative to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury.
C.R.I.S.E.S. Act
The C.R.I.S.E.S. Act provides the California Department of Social Services with funding for pilot programs that involve community organizations offering emergency response services in crises, aiming to reduce reliance on law enforcement. The pilot programs support community-based alternatives to police.
Decertify Abusive Police and Strengthen Civil Liability for Police Violence - S.B. 731
SB 731, enacted in 2021, established California’s first statewide process for decertifying police officers for serious misconduct, such as excessive force. Under this law, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) can revoke an officer’s certification, effectively preventing them from serving in any other California law enforcement agency. Additionally, the state is required to report these decertifications to the National Decertification Index (NDI) to prevent ‘wandering officers’ from being hired in other states.
Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission
In 2016, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors established the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission to enhance public transparency and accountability for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD). The Commission conducts independent investigations, holds regular public meetings, and provides a platform for families impacted by deputy-involved shootings and jail misconduct to provide direct testimony.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Civil Rights Cases in Los Angeles?
If a California police officer uses excessive force, you have two years from the incident date to file a federal civil rights lawsuit under Section 1983. However, to include state-law claims against a city or police department, you must first file an administrative claim under the California Government Claims Act within six months. Property damage claims sustained in a police brutality case generally have a three-year statute of limitations, but are also subject to the six-month government claim requirement if a public entity is involved.
Understand Your Rights With Help From Police Brutality Center
Even with new efforts to address police brutality in Los Angeles and throughout the state of California, it remains a serious issue across the community. If you or a loved one has experienced police misconduct or abuse, you may be entitled to compensation.
Contact Police Brutality Center to connect with a California police brutality lawyer who can review your case and support you through each step of your legal journey.