Report: LAPD used excessive force during immigrant march

A Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) report pointed the finger at itself for a violent melee at the close of a pro-immigrant rally on May 1^st. The blame lay squarely on the LAPD for the incident and was caused by shortcomings in training, planning, and policy according to the report.

Excerpts from the study were damning in criticizing the LAPD rather than the overwhelmingly pacific marchers and media who were gathered in MacArthur Park:

“The failing leadership, breakdown in supervision and breakdown in personal discipline caused those without full situational awareness to take action without understanding how their decisions might affect the final outcome.”

Much like in the immediate aftermath of the May 1^st incident, LAPD Chief William Bratton expressed “regret” and also apologized for the department's actions.

The entire 94-page report can be accessed here as a PDF document.

Sources- BBC News, The Latin Americanist, AFP, Associated Press, LAPD Online

Image- New York Times – The Lede (“A local cameraman was forced to his knees during the sweep on May 1, 2007”)