Use of Force Involving Hollywood Area Police Officers NR10328mg

June 29, 2010

Los Angeles:  Hollywood Area Los Angeles Police Department officers respond to a report of an intoxicated man and a use of force occurs.

On June 27, 2010 around two in the morning, officers responding to an unrelated call of an intoxicated man at a bar in the Hollywood Highland complex came upon a man causing a disturbance, across the street on Hollywood Boulevard.  The man, who appeared intoxicated, had confronted several black males calling them racially derogatory names. The LAPD officers intervened, and over the next several minutes tried to calm the man down and direct him to leave the area.  The subject refused to leave and continued his aggressive and threatening behavior.  The man reportedly threatened to “cut the throats” of the officers.

The man continued to clench his fists and direct his aggressive behavior toward the officers.  Fearing the man was going to become violent, Officer Chris Craig, 7-years three months with the Department, displayed a TASER in an effort to get the subject to comply with their directions to calm down.  The man refused to calm down and continued to maintain an aggressive combative stance with his fists clenched and directed his aggression toward the officers.  Officer Craig fired the TASER at the subject striking him in the upper body, while Officer Peter Kim, 4-years and six months with the Department, moved toward him to strike the man on the mid back.   The man fell to the ground and his head hit on the curb. The officers immediately radioed for Los Angeles Fire paramedics to respond to treat the man.

He was taken to Cedar Sinai Hospital where he is listed in serious but stable condition.

The LAPD immediately launched an investigation which included the response of the Force Investigation Division. Over the next several months, Force Investigation Division will complete an exhaustive investigation. Part of that investigation will include a review of videos that may have been taken of the incident, interviews of involved parties and available scientific evidence. The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use of force policy which states that officer’ use of force actions must be reasonably objective.

If anyone has any information that would be helpful in this case please contact Force Investigation  Division at 213-486-5230.  During non-business hours or weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800)-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most key pads) using a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “web tips” and follow the prompts.