LA police union says officers not at fault in recent deadly arrests

By Rob Hayes, ABC 7

In the three separate cases, three men died after interacting with LAPD officers.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — After more than a week of silence, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents LAPD officers, is defending the officers involved in three deadly arrests earlier this month.

“This is not a video game, this is not where you get nine lives. You’re out there, this is your one life,” said LAPPL representative Debbie Thomas, referring to officers who respond to calls involving violent people. “Domestic violence incidents along with traffic stops account for the majority of police officers being ambushed and murdered.”

In the three separate cases, three men died after interacting with LAPD officers.

Two of the men were shot and one was tased. One man lunged at officers with a homemade spear while another threatened officers with a knife.

In the third case, a man who caused a traffic wreck was tased several times while resisting arrest. All three were suspected of suffering from psychological conditions.

The string of deaths so early in the year prompted accusations of police brutality.

“This is a pattern and practice of brutality and terrorism by police officers in every department in Los Angeles and across this country,” said Cliff Smith of the Coalition for Community Control Over the Police.

The original article has more.

The LA Unified School District removed police from schools to make students feel safer.

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