Los Angeles Mayor Calls for Review of Fatal LAPD Incidents
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is seeking an independent examination of two fatal encounters involving the LAPD, both of which were recorded on video. These incidents reportedly started when men were engaged in violent and dangerous actions that led to police intervention.
On Friday, Bass expressed that the footage was “incredibly difficult to watch.” She outlined intentions for an executive directive that will assess situations where officers are involved in deaths or serious injuries, with a focus specifically on cases involving individuals facing mental health challenges.
However, she also recognized that police will inevitably respond to situations where individuals in crises become violent. “The reality is, until society provides the proper care for individuals with mental health disorders, law enforcement will continue to be called upon to respond, especially when those individuals exhibit violent behavior,” Bass stated.
One of the cases features 59-year-old Jose Carlos Hoyos-Munoz, who was arrested on July 13 after an alleged attack on his mother and brother with a deadly weapon, subsequently barricading himself in a Chatsworth home, according to LAPD reports. The standoff lasted eight hours, ending with police taking Hoyos-Munoz into custody. Initially treated for exposure to gas used by SWAT personnel, he was later booked into Van Nuys Regional Jail.
Two days afterward, while being removed from his cell, officers reported a “non-categorial use of force” occurred as they placed him in a “five-point restraint chair” to fingerprint him. Hoyos-Munoz was eventually relocated to a single-person cell and briefly handcuffed.
When officers returned to the cell, a second “non-categorial use of force” was reported. They restrained him face down on his bunk and removed his handcuffs. Unfortunately, about 20 minutes later, he was discovered unconscious and not breathing. Despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead, as stated by the LAPD.
During the incidents, three detention officers were also injured and required treatment for minor injuries.
The second fatal encounter involved Alejandro Lopez Garcia, who was reported to be armed with a baseball bat in South Los Angeles on July 29. Police stated Garcia was swinging the bat at people and cars, causing danger at the scene near the 10 Freeway.
Upon officer arrival just before 6:30 p.m., Garcia continued to wield the bat aggressively at officers and bystanders, prompting the police to shoot and kill him.
Bass noted that both individuals seemed to be undergoing mental health crises and attributed the lack of timely care to decades of underfunding in community mental health services. “LAPD officers do not enter the force to become first responders to mental health crises and are not properly trained for such circumstances,” she remarked.
Her proposed independent review aims to look into LAPD policies, training, tactics, supervision, and accountability. It also plans to assess mental health support for officers after critical incidents. Furthermore, Bass suggested enhancing civilian crisis-response programs for non-violent individuals in crisis, which might decrease reliance on armed officers.
“Public safety cannot be achieved through law enforcement alone,” she concluded.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, there are resources available for assistance. Remember, help is just a call or text away at 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for free, confidential services 24/7.
