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CBS2 Exclusive: LAPD Chief Announces He's Reopening Case That Resulted In Dorner's Termination

Beck Interview

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — LAPD Chief Charlie Beck has just announced he's reopening the disciplinary case that resulted in triple murder suspect and former cop Christopher Dorner's termination.

» COMPLETE COVERAGE: SoCal Manhunt

"I'm not doing this to appease him. I'm doing this so the community has faith in what the police department does," Beck said in an exclusive interview Saturday with CBS2's Pat Harvey.

Dorner allegedly has vowed revenge against several former LAPD colleagues whom he claims contributed to his firing, leaving one officer dead in Riverside days after fatally shooting two other people in Irvine. Two other officers were injured in the Riverside shooting.

The former police officer was fired from the LAPD after he allegedly complained his training officer unnecessarily kicked a suspect in the face and chest while being handcuffed. The case was reviewed by a police advisory board which found him guilty of making false statements.

In a lengthy manifesto posted online, Dorner said those investigating the case were friends with the officer he accused and insists he was unfairly terminated. He also claims the man who was allegedly kicked agrees with his version of the incident and has testified on video.

"This investigation has already been reviewed at multiple levels…If I have to redo something or deal with an issue I will deal with it publicly," Beck said.

The police chief stressed that certain elements of the case, such as interviews, cannot legally be made public because it would jeopardize the safety of those involved.

Beck said Dorner has not reached out to him in any way.

Dorner Background 1
(credit: Facebook/CBS)

He stressed that if Dorner were to contact the police department and surrender he would guarantee his safety.

CBS News reported Saturday that investigators found weapons and cold weather survival gear inside the burned-out truck belonging to Dorner after it was located in Big Bear. Several law enforcement agencies have been scouring the area for the triple murder suspect.

"I'm not going to comment on what was recovered. I'm not going to comment on where we think he is or what we think he's doing," said Beck, who added that would be revealed in time.

Harvey mentioned that thousands of people are publicly supporting the triple murder suspect on a Facebook page.

"I'm surprised about it. I've been doing this for 36 years and not a lot surprises me," Beck said.

In a 20-page manifesto posted on Facebook, Dorner mentions dozens of targets and warns that their families will be harmed.

"I will utilize every bit of small arms training, demolition, ordinance and survival training I've been given," Dorner writes. "You have misjudged a sleeping giant."

The manifesto goes on to say, "I never had the opportunity to have a family of my own, I'm terminating yours."

Beck said the situation is putting tremendous stress on those officers and their families.

"We have protection details for 50 families. Imagine having to go through your daily existence like that, knowing your family was the target of a trained assassin like Dorner…It is absolutely unthinkable," the police chief said.

Beck said he is putting all the department's resources into finding Dorner.

"This is not just about cops, this is about all of us. There is a small, small portion of the population that puts themselves at risk for the benefit of society, and when they're attacked, it puts the rest of the population under attack.

"I will do everything it takes to capture Dorner and to keep our police officers and the city safe, everything it takes."

At the end of the interview, Harvey asked Beck why he chose to grant her the interview exclusively. The police chief explained that he had a good relationship with the CBS2 anchor and thought she was a fair journalist. He said he also wanted to reach out to the African-American community, who Dorner claims is unfairly targeted by LAPD officers.

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