Officials in Los Angeles have determined that the LAPD officer who stopped an unarmed 25-year-old man prior to his fatal shooting last year acted erroneously.
The Associated Press reports that Officer Sharlton Wampler's actions, which precipitated Ezell Ford's death, violated the department's policy. What's more, the Los Angeles Police Commission arrived at this decision unanimously:
The commission found Wampler violated policy from his initial approach through the killing of Ford. Villegas was found in violation in only one area — an earlier drawing of a gun before the final use of deadly force.
Their analysis, released hours later Tuesday, demonstrated the first application on an updated use-of-force policy, tweaked last year to better mirror language in a California Supreme Court decision.
It requires reviewers to examine whether problematic decisions or actions by officers ultimately caused the confrontations that ended in the use of deadly force.
The commission looked at the totality of circumstances, not just the moment deadly force was used, and it found that deficient tactics used by (Wampler) and the legally inappropriate detention of (Ford) led to the subsequent altercation, rendered the use of deadly force unreasonable and out of policy.
However, the commission did rule that the actions of Officer Antonio Villegas—the other officer involved—were justified. Now that the commission has made its decision, the case will be forwarded to the LAPD's internal affairs division. According to the Associated Press, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck will determine the consequences, while a district attorney will decide if criminal charges should be filed.
[via Associated Press]
