LAPD investigating over 80 officer misconduct complaints from anti-immigration enforcement protests

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating more than 80 officer misconduct complaints from anti-immigration enforcement protests last month.

Michael Rimkunas, head of LAPD's Professional Standards Bureau, said that as of Friday, 86 incidents are under investigation, including 59 for possible excessive force, along with some others that involve “discourtesy” by officers and other less severe allegations, The Los Angeles Times reported.

“We are looking at all reports that are brought in,” Rimkunas said.

Most of the claims came from citizens who contacted the inspector general's office or the LAPD's complaint hotline, but a few were initiated within the department, after it saw Times reports of questionable officer behavior.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell has defended how officers handled themselves when faced with crowds hurling bottles, bricks, Molotov cocktails, and commercial-grade fireworks, leaving 52 officers injured. But McDonnell has also promised to review what happened.

Rimkunas said an internal task force is examining body cam footage and interviewing witnesses for evidence of rule-breaking by officers. LAPD has thus far opened investigations into three incidents in which people injured by police actions required hospitalization.

He added that there could be an increase of cases involving injuries caused by police as more people come forward. Also, he said that he instructed his detectives to request information from local hospitals about other potential victims who didn’t reach out to the department. Many protesters have alleged LAPD projectiles gave them severe bruises, lacerations, and other serious injuries.

An ACLU of Southern California spokesperson said that they have been contacted by more than 250 people “who were harmed by police or government agents while protesting, or who witnessed others being harmed by police or other government agents while protesting” in the two weeks after the immigration raids began last month.

The violent Los Angeles protests against immigration raids last month resulted in President Trump sending in the California National Guard to assist federal law enforcement.