Mayor Backs Beck's Efforts To Reach Out To LAPD Ranks After Commission Ruling
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti voiced his support Thursday for LAPD Chief Charlie Beck after reaching out to officers in the wake of the police commission's decision in the Ezell Ford shooting.
KNX 1070's Margaret Carrero reports Beck is expected to soon decide what disciplinary action to take against an LAPD officer found by the Police Commission to have violated department policy in the fatal shooting of an unarmed, mentally ill black man.
The Los Angeles Police Commission ruled on Tuesday that one officer violated department policy, but another was justified in firing his weapon at Ezell Ford.
In response to the ruling, Beck released a video Wednesday showing him on the balcony outside his office discussing what he called a tough decision by the Commission.
The video concludes with Beck reiterating his full support for LAPD's rank-and-file.
"I know it's a difficult thing for you to think about as you go out and risk your lives every day protecting the city of Los Angeles," said Beck. "But I want you to think about this: you have my support."
On Thursday, Garcetti gave his thoughts about Beck not speaking to the public prior to the disciplinary decision.
"That would be like a judge doing a press conference before a sentence," the mayor said. "I think it's not appropriate."
Garcetti also said the fact Beck is "reaching out to troops is important."
"These are the front-line in every neighborhood of a safer city, and I want them to know how much we care about them," said Garcetti.
In an interview Thursday morning on KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO, Commission President Steve Soboroff said he has been in touch with Beck, who he says told him it was not his intention for the video to infer a lack of support for officers by the commission.
Community activists have urged District Attorney Jackie Lacey to file criminal charges against Officer Sharlton Wampler's use of deadly force in the death of Ford last August.
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