March 11, 2023admin

LAPD Launches Investigation Into Crooked Cop Who Says “I Was Under Attack”

Demonstrators at a makeshift memorial to Manuel Jamines on September 8, 2010 in Los Angeles, California

A cop from the Los Angeles Police Department, who has three been involved in three on-duty shootings during his career, is under investigation after he was caught repeatedly punching a man in the head while he was handcuffed.

LAPD did not mention the officer by name but the LA Times reported that Frank Hernandez is the cop seen furiously delivering blows to the trespassing suspect in a video filmed by a witness.

In the clip, the two appear to be in conversation before the officer suddenly begins attacking him. The suspect is seen bending over, seemingly to protect his body as his wrists remain in restraints.

The suspect does not appear to be fighting back but the cop is seen delivering a series of punches outside Church of God of the Prophecy, before pausing and starting again. He appears to hit the suspect more than a dozen times.

Both the cop and suspected ended up with injuries

Meanwhile his colleague is seen calling for backup and other officers arrive on the scene shortly after.

Bodycam footage shows the cop punch the suspect in the chest before the witness recording began.

A representative for the officer said the man has struggled with him earlier and he believed he was under attack.

‘The use of force is justified because the officer believed he was under attack from the suspect… even though you might think the suspect wasn’t fighting back at that time, he wasn’t complying either,’ David Winslow said on Monday.

The suspect is seen bending over to protect himself

The suspect had been accused of sleeping in a tent on a private property when he was arrested in Boyle Heights on the 2400 block of Houston Street on April 27.

An supervisor officer reported to the scene and viewed the cell phone footage from a member of the public. The officer also looked at the bodycam footage and the preliminary investigation was passed on to his commanding officer and then Internal Affairs.

Internal Affairs started a formal investigation due to the ‘serious nature of the alleged misconduct’.

The suspect was later released from custody and wasn’t charged. Police said they have not determined whether the suspect was armed.

A witness was recording the incident from across the street

The officer has been placed on home duty pending investigation.

LAPD said both the suspect and the officer received injuries as a result of the incident.

‘At that location the two officers made contact with a male trespass suspect and directed him to leave the private property,’ the police statement said.

A fellow officer is seen calling over radio before more cops show up shortly afterwards

‘During the course of the investigation a physical altercation occurred between the suspect and one of the officers, resulting in the officer receiving minor injuries to his hand. The suspect had abrasions to his head and face but refused medical attention.’

LAPD chief Michel Moore did not specific address the incident but said Tuesday in a statement: ‘I intend to… hold individuals accountable for behavior that is inconsistent with the high standards of this organization.’