3 Manhattan Beach Officers Fired For Role In Alleged Hit-And-Run Cover Up
MANHATTAN BEACH (AP) — Three Manhattan Beach police officers have been fired for their involvement in a hit-and-run crash that they allegedly sought to cover up.
City Manager Dave Carmany tells the Torrance-based Daily Breeze that Richard Hatten, Kristopher Thompson and Eric Eccles were dismissed on Friday after about a year on paid leave.
A fourth department staffer, Bryan Klatt, was demoted from lieutenant to officer.
Hatten, Thompson and Eccles had reportedly just left a bar in January 2010 when they were involved in a car crash for which no police report was written.
The Breeze says Klatt was the watch commander on duty at the time and did not immediately inform department commanders.
Torrance police did not return a message from The Associated Press seeking comment and contact information for the officers.
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