but LA Police Officers still have Guns, Batons, Fists, Feet and Racist Minds
Los Angeles' police chief said he would
direct officers to switch to smaller and lighter flashlights after a
divided Police Commission on Tuesday deferred the politically charged
decision to him. Chief William J. Bratton said the catalyst for the
change was the case of car-theft suspect Stanley Miller, who was
repeatedly struck with an oversized 2-pound metal flashlight by a Los
Angeles Police Department officer during a televised incident 10 months
ago. Bratton said the new flashlights would be 10 inches long or
shorter, would weigh less than 12 ounces and, unless shorter than 6.9
inches, must be made of rubber or polymer. More than 250 recruits in
training will receive smaller flashlights in the coming weeks, he said.
Some officers may already have their own flashlights that meet the new
specifications. [more]
Pictured above:
Stanley Miller shortly after his beat down by LAPD Officers using
flashlights last July. The brutal beating was partially captured on
videotape. No officers were ever punished. Miller claims to have brain
damage. A Civil suit is pending