LAPD Chief Takes Disciplinary Action After Video Surfaces Of Violent Traffic Stop
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The chief of the L.A. Police Department took disciplinary action Wednesday after surveillance video surfaced of a violent traffic stop.
Chief Charlie Beck removed Capt. Joseph Hiltner as commanding officer of the Foothill Division, saying he was "severely deficient in his response" to an arrest that allegedly injured a woman.
"Proper steps were not taken, including appropriate notifications and the removal of the involved officers from the field," Beck said.
"Because of these issues, I have removed him from his command, and initiated downgrade procedures. Every Los Angeles police officer, regardless of rank, will be held accountable for their actions."
Officers allegedly caught Michelle Jordan talking on her cellphone while driving in Tujunga at approximately 11 a.m. on Aug. 21.
The 34-year-old Sunland resident pulled her car into a Del Taco parking lot, where surveillance video captured the arrest that followed.
Jordan's attorneys claim that the registered nurse got out of her car and argued with police, prompting one officer to place her in handcuffs and throw her twice to the ground.
The woman's attorneys showed KCAL9 photos, allegedly taken of Jordan after the arrest, with large, red bruises on her face and body.
"She doesn't appear to be a threat; the cops dealt with her as though she was clearly a threat," Jordan's attorney Sy Nazif said.
"What is almost as disturbing as the violence itself is, if you continue watching the video, you'll see that once she is in the squad car the two officers fist-bumped, as if to say, `Job well done today,'" Nazif said.
Anyone with information on the confrontation was asked to call the Foothill Division Watch Commander at (818) 756-8861, or Internal Affairs Group at (213) 485-1486.
» RELATED STORY: Caught On Camera: 2 LAPD Officers Investigated For Use Of Force During Arrest
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