Complaints Against LAPD Officers : The Kinds of Complaint

Here are the types of allegations, as classified by the LAPD, made against its officers by the public. There were 8,274 allegations from January, 1986, through December, 1990. False Imprisonment: 1.9% Miscellaneous: 7.0% Other*: 2.7% Excessive Force: 24.7% Improper Tactics: 14.5% Discourtesy: 18.5% Unbecoming Conduct: 12.2%

The Outcome

Here is the disposition of the 3,419 allegations in two categories involving brutality--excessive force and improper tactics-from January, 1986 through December, 1990. Sustained: 3.0% Unknown: .2% Exonerated: 12.0% Not Sustained: 47.0% Unfounded: 37.8%

The Reasons

Here are the explanations given by the LAPD for not sustaining complaints of excessive force or improper tactics. The data covers the period from January, 1986, through December, 1987, and October, 1988, through June, 1990. No Reason Given: 11.0% Insufficient Investigative Results: 23.2% No Independent Witnesses: 55.3% Other*: 10.5%

The Penalties

Here are the penalties imposed for the 171 complaints of excessive force or improper tactics that were sustained from January, 1986, through December, 1990. Resign / Retire: 4.7% Reprimand, Admonishment, and Warning: 29.2% Removal: 7.6% Suspension Under 10 Days: 35.7% Suspension 10-22 Days: 18.7% Suspension Over 22 Days: 4.1%

Notes:

1. * Other includes unlawful search, sexual, narcotics, discrimination, Improper relations, Insubordination, and alcohol. Source: LAPD Complaint Database. (Complaints made by members of the public against LAPD officers. Does not include complaints initiated by LAPD.) 2. Definitions

Unfounded: The investigation has established that the act complained of did not, in fact, occur.

Exonerated: The investigation has revealed that the act complained of did occur, but the act was justified, lawful and within the scope of department rules, policies and procedures. Not sustained: The investigation was unable to develop facts or evidence sufficient to prove or disprove the act complained of.

Sustained: The investigation established that the act complained of did occur and it constituted misconduct.

Source: LAPD Complaint Database 3. * Other includes conflicting testimony, insufficient evidence, Inconsistent injuries, and lack of credibility.

Source: LAPD Weekly Summaries of Adjudicated Complaints.