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18
Feb 2009
LAPPL Files Lawsuit Over Helmet Issue

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Ryan Oliver (310) 854-8272 or
Eric Rose (805) 624-0572

Los Angeles, February 18, 2009 – The Los Angeles Police Protective League filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court today against the Los Angeles Police Department for ignoring officer safety by violating its own helmet policy as well as California employment safety laws.

The lawsuit stems from orders given to LAPD officers in advance of a planned pro-Palestinian demonstration on January 10. Against policy, officers were told not to wear their protective headgear, but instead told to keep their helmets “nearby.”

They did not have access to headgear as the demonstration grew violent, and one officer was sent to the hospital with a head injury after being hit with a protestor’s sign. An LAPD horse that was wearing protective headgear was hit by a protester with a belt, but suffered no injuries.

The lawsuit seeks a court order restraining the city from prohibiting, interfering or discouraging Los Angeles police officers from wearing protective safety helmets during crowd control missions at protests and demonstrations. The suit also directs the city to comply with all applicable safety laws and regulations in the future.

“We are disappointed that the LAPD has ignored our concerns about officer safety,” League President Paul M. Weber said. “Going against policy to take officers out of protective gear unnecessarily puts them at risk for serious or even fatal injuries. Police Officers deserve as much protection as police horses”

“Sending police officers into potentially incendiary situations without proper protective gear puts the public at risk as well. Our officers can’t protect the public if they are suffering injuries at the hands of demonstrators,” Weber said.

In addition, the Los Angeles City Council has asked for a full report on the January 10 attack. They are concerned police department management directed officers to arrive without helmets out of an unwarranted fear the protective gear might escalate tensions among the demonstrators. The motion by council members Dennis Zine and Bill Rosendahl asks the LAPD to provide a full report on its policies related to preparing and equipping officers assigned to crowd control, including “use and non-use of helmets and other tactical gear.”

“The LAPD's own emergency operations guide clearly states: ‘DO NOT assign officers without helmets, vests and batons to crowd control missions.’ “The LAPPL firmly believes the law is on our side – helmets and face shields should be worn in large protest situations to prevent injury to officers and to help manage large groups of people who want to exercise their First Amendment rights,” Weber said.

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,000 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. The LAPPL can be found on the Web at www.LAPD.com

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