Los Angeles: On June 23, 2004, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department were involved in the pursuit of a stolen vehicle followed by a foot chase of the suspect, Stanley Miller.  At the end of the foot chase, as Miller was taken into custody, there was a use of force.  Both the pursuit and the foot chase were televised and showed an LAPD officer hitting Mr. Miller with a flashlight.

That officer, John Hatfield, Serial No. 34470, 7 years with the Department, was directed to a Departmental Board of Rights Hearing.  There was one count of misconduct brought against Officer Hatfield for unnecessary force against Stanley Miller.

Today, July 29, 2005, the Board of Rights found Officer Hatfield guilty of using unnecessary force.  Following the penalty phase of the board, the panel members recommended that Officer Hatfield be terminated and relieved of his position as a Los Angeles police officer.

The case will now be forwarded to the Chief of Police for final review.  According to the City Charter the Chief of Police has the authority to accept the Board's recommendation for termination or reduce the penalty.