FBI Investigates Violent LAPD Arrest...

[bliss_eternal]

Anyone as disturbed by this as me?

FBI Investigates Violent LAPD Arrest
(CBS) LOS ANGELES Two Los Angeles police officers were under investigation day for allegedly beating a man during a "disturbing"
videotaped arrest in Hollywood in August, police Chief William Bratton said.

The video, posted on the popular YouTube Web site, shows Officer Alexander Schlegel holding down William Cardenas, 23, as Officer Patrick Farrell places his knee on the man's neck and punches his face with a fist six
times during the Aug. 11 scuffle near the intersection of Gordon Street and Fountain Avenue.

Cardenas is seen struggling with the officers while lying on his back, trying to yell, "I can't breathe."

"There's no denying that the video is disturbing," Bratton said during a news conference at the Los Angeles Police Department's downtown dispatch center.

"But as to whether the actions of the officers were appropriate in light of what they were experiencing and the totality of the circumstances is what the investigation will determine," he said

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taken from:
http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_313135950.html

[NOLADEM]

1. Main question they are seeking to answer: "How can we prevent this from getting out again?"

[bliss_eternal]

2. I agree--and that's disturbing.

Why aren't they addressing the other issue of why are these officers being excessive in the first place?

This is not the first time officers are shown, on tape, camera, etc. with a prisoner that is subdued and still being beaten. I understand the dangers of their job and appreciate what they have to do to protect us--but excessive is excessive. When will this stop?

Thank you for responding! :hi:

[prole_for_peace]

3. " 'The video itself is one that does not look good,'

Bratton said, adding that the officers apparently did not know that a woman videotaped the arrest."

ya think?!

[bliss_eternal]

6. I know. How sad is that?

The other night when I saw this on the news, I couldn't believe they said that. I wanted to call the guy up and say, "Duh!" :banghead:

[Selatius]

4. What if these officers get off with a slap on the wrist?

How will that play in Los Angeles and the surrounding communities?

[bliss_eternal]

7. It won't play well, in my opinion...

It's one of the aspects many don't understand about the Rodney King riots.

The beating of Rodney King was something many black and latino men in Los Angeles experienced for many years living in Los Angeles and LA county. They just didn't have the benefit of taped proof, if they attempted to report the situation, they were laughed at or dismissed. It was the LAPD's word against theirs. When there was taped evidence, so many believed(hoped), "Finally! This will stop. Officers like this will be punished...", etc.

When the officers got the equivalent of a slap on the wrist the outrage was like spitting in the face of the minority community. Of course some of the rioting seen on msm was some just taking advantage of a horrible situation(i.e. people looting, etc)--part of what happens inevitably when the mob mentality takes over in a horrible situation. But for the most part, the general consensus is that it started as a reaction (and attack)on all the things that blacks (and some latinos) felt were representative of "the man."

Those that didn't live here and weren't cognizant of what was happening prior, wouldn't know. I saw a lot of it as it happened. I was home (sick that week) and saw when and where it started on the news. I sat and watched (shocked) as Reginald Dennehy was dragged from his car and beaten. :scared: A good friend attempted to go to a community meeting, but called to inform me that some of the gangs were on the streets near the community center. They were working together and had attacked some empty police cars (throwing rocks at them, jumping on them, rocking them and attempting to tip them over, etc.) It was the result of much residual anger towards the police and others that showed open contempt for the black community.

Given the nastiness and strikes against the latino communities through the attacks on "immigrants"...this may not fare well. I'm not saying there would or could be riots. I am saying that this just seems to be adding to a list of crimes against latinos in Los Angeles. Which was part of why and how the Rodney King situation escalated as it did. It came after a very long period of a war on inner city communities in Los Angeles (i.e. black communities, etc.) the climax was the Rodney King verdict--the aftermath--the riots.

LAPD needs to look at this history and be more proactive and sensitive in my opinion.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. I'm disturbed...

that they're too corrupt to police themselves, and that they need to FBI and videotaped evidence.

[bliss_eternal]

8. Hi Bornaginhooligan...!

:hi: I appreciate your response.

You're right. Something is very wrong when it takes the FBI to address the situation. It's also discouraging that the LAPD isn't immediately saying something, anything more proactive than they have so far about this. :( I would have liked to think that the Rodney King situation taught them more. Apparently it did not.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. They got away with Rodney King...

So I really don't think they give a shit.

[bliss_eternal]

10. Unfortunately...

I believe you are right. :( :scared::cry: