Breaking: Recently Released Bodycam Footage Shows Officer Involvement in Deaths of 2 Men
Recently released bodycam footage from the Los Angeles Police Department has raised concerns about the use of excessive and deadly force from police officers in cases involving 2 men. This footage has raised concerns about officer training and response, especially when it comes to calls concerning mental health wellness.
Learn more about these incidents, what comes next, and how California police brutality lawyers from BD&J can help in the aftermath of excessive or deadly force use by police officers sworn to protect. BD&J fights for injured Californians and their families every day!
Call 866-604-5751 to connect with BD&J or complete our online form now.
Bodycam Footage Shows Deadly Force
Bodycam footage concerning the detainment and detention of Jose Carlos Hoyos-Munoz (58) and Alejandro Luis Garcia (33) has sparked an outcry for additional investigation on the training for LAPD officers to handle mental health crises.
Jose Carlos Hoyos-Munoz was arrested as a result of an hours-long standoff after family members called the authorities to ask for help when he brandished a knife at them. Hoyos-Muñoz was detained and then taken to the Van Nuys Regional Jail, where officers pinned him to the ground multiple times, using their body weight to restrain the man after they alleged he’d consistently resisted and shown combative behavior during the booking process.
Bodycam footage showed several officers on Hoyos-Munoz while the man lay on his stomach, and minutes later in the early hours of July 15th, officers would find Hoyos-Munoz unresponsive.
Alejandro Luis Garcia was confronted by police officers in the Los Angeles area after Garcia was reported to have been swinging an aluminum baseball bat at pedestrians and cars on July 29th.
The released bodycam footage shows officers confronting Garcia, ordering him to drop the bat. Seconds later, an officer starts shooting.
Responses to the Bodycam Footage
A statement released from the LAPD states, “Our officers are committed to protecting the public, preventing violent crime, and responding with compassion to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis or severe emotional distress, often in rapidly evolving and complex situations. In these moments, officers must make split-second decisions to safeguard innocent lives.” (New York Times)
However, other city officials have called for further investigation and accountability. Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass stated, “Decades of disinvestment in community-based mental and behavior health services have left too many Angelenos without access to timely and appropriate care, increasing the likelihood that people in crisis will come into contact with law enforcement…LAPD officers do not enter the force to become first responders to mental health crises and are not equipped with the proper training to do so.” (LA Times)
Nithya Raman, a City Council member challenging Karen Bass in the upcoming mayoral race, said: “What happened to Jose Carlos Hoyos-Munoz and Alejandro Garcia is disturbing and demands justice…Both cases need a full and independent investigation with real accountability.” (New York Times)
What Happens Next?
The LAPD has not named or completed any disciplinary actions against the officers involved in either incident. However, the department has noted that both civilian deaths are under review by internal investigators and outside agencies, as well as Los Angeles County Prosecutors.
Why Do Mental Wellness Checks Fall Under Police Officer Duties?
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, people with mental illness are 10 times more likely to experience use of force in interactions with law enforcement than those without mental illness.
So, why do mental wellness checks fall under police officer duties? Most often it’s due to the 24/7 availability of officers and a lack of other more equipped response teams.
Unfortunately, incidents like the ones mentioned above emphasize the need for further officer training, or perhaps even other response options when it comes to individuals who are having mental health crises.
What Counts as Police Brutality?
According to California police brutality attorneys, common cases of police brutality may include:
- Excessive tasing or use of pepper spray
- Excessive use of police dogs
- Physically striking a civilian who is complying or handcuffed
- Being struck by a police vehicle
- Being unreasonably restrained or put in a chokehold
- False arrests
- Unlawful searches
Any excessive or unwarranted use of force by a police officer that causes serious bodily harm or even death counts as police brutality. Racial profiling, verbal abuse, and sexual abuse or harassment could also be considered police brutality.
BD&J Police Brutality Lawyers Are Here for You
Since our establishment in 2007, BD&J attorneys have represented clients in car accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death lawsuits, and claims for police brutality as well. We’ve recovered more than $3 billion* in compensation for clients and don’t turn our backs on any case that walks through our doors.
How To Work with California Police Brutality Lawyers
Did you or a loved one suffer injuries from an interaction with law enforcement officers? Complete the following steps to work with California police brutality lawyers:
- Gather all available evidence. – Gather all evidence pertaining to a potential claim, including medical documentation of injuries, police officer information (including badge number), witness testimonies, etc.
- Research California police brutality lawyers. – Use law directories like Justia, read client reviews, and ask friends and family for recommendations for a law firm that specializes in representing police brutality cases.
- Schedule your consultation. – Most reputable personal injury law firms will offer potential clients the opportunity to talk with an attorney through a free consultation.
- Come prepared with your evidence and questions. – On the day of your consultation, bring evidence and questions to ask an attorney about your case. Common questions may be: Do I have a case? What other evidence do I need? How would you represent my case? What’s the timeline for my claim?
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim Against the Police?
You have 6 months from the date of the incident to file a claim against a California police department.
What Should I Do After a Police Brutality Incident?
Seek immediate medical attention, record all the details of the incident (including badge numbers when possible), get witness contact information, and talk to a police brutality attorney in California as soon as you’re able.
Does Police Brutality Violate My Rights?
Yes, police brutality events can violate the rights of civilians, including detained civilians. Common rights violations are the violation of the Fourth Amendment, which protects civilians from unlawful searches and seizures, the Eighth Amendment that protects imprisoned civilians from cruel and unusual punishments, and the Fourteenth Amendment, which grants civilians the right to life, liberty, and due process.
Can I Still File a Claim After a Police Officer Uses Qualified Immunity?
Qualified immunity is meant to protect police officers and other state or federal agents from harassment and false claims for acting within their job duties, not provide them with an excuse to avoid accountability. While qualified immunity can be presented in any claim involving government officials, certain legal cases can go over this doctrine.
When is Qualified Immunity Overridden?
Qualified immunity will not be valid for cases concerning violations of civil rights, violations of established laws with past case references, or if an officer acted with intentional misconduct and the knowledge that rights were being violated.
What if My Loved One Passed Away Under Police Detention?
We are immensely sorry for the devastating loss of your loved one. Deadly use of force by jail officers while a person is under police detention still qualifies for a wrongful death claim so loved ones can recover financial compensation for an untimely and grave loss.
What Compensation Could I Obtain in a California Police Brutality Claim?
Some of the compensation that could be recovered in a police brutality claim includes current and future medical expenses, loss of income if unable to work, pain and suffering damages, and punitive damages in some cases.
How are Non-Economic and Punitive Damages Different?
Non-economic damages encompass damages that don’t have a tangible value assigned to them, like pain and suffering and a decreased quality of life. Punitive damages are often awarded if the defendant has committed similar misconduct in the past, or to prevent similar negligence from being committed in the future.
How Can an Attorney Help My Claim?
While you’re navigating the aftermath of a police brutality event, including painful injuries, emotional trauma, and more, an attorney can help with representing your claim to the fullest extent.
California police brutality lawyers know how to present a claim in the proper jurisdiction, use specialized resources like accident reconstruction software and expert witness testimony, and also know how to overcome the legal hurdles that follow these delicate claims.
How Much Does It Cost to Work with BD&J?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we advance all case costs to you and recover attorney fees after a case has settled. This means no fees until we win*.
Are BD&J Attorneys Bilingual?
Absolutely! Our attorneys speak Spanish, Russian, French, Farsi, Hebrew, and Armenian.
Police Brutality Attorneys Fight for Clients
The release of bodycam footage has thrust the Los Angeles Police Department and its practices back into the public eye. While investigations are still ongoing, this recent footage may further support the need for officer training, specialized resources, and how we hold peace officers accountable.
If you or a loved one were injured in an event of police brutality, don’t wait to file a case. BD&J California police brutality attorneys are here for you 24/7.
Call BD&J now to connect with our team and schedule your free consultation.