Controversy is growing over video showing the alleged use of force by two Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department officers during the arrest of two brothers in Lancaster.
During a press conference this afternoon, Sheriff Robert Luna spoke about the incident that has caused outrage in the community, but some protesters questioned why it had taken so long to respond, noting that his words were not enough.
The organizers of a demonstration are extremely upset about what was captured on officers’ body cameras on June 24, showing the alleged excessive force they used to arrest a man and his sister in the parking lot of the Winco supermarket in Lancaster.
“It was shocking, alarming, painful, we have to speak up, when we see something inappropriate we have to confront it and that’s what we’re doing,” said Waunette Cullers, organizer of the protest.
The two officers were responding to a burglary call and the description of the man and woman matched the suspects. The man questions the arrest and he questions why he is being handcuffed.
And when an officer knocks the phone out of the woman recording it, throws her to the pavement, while her brother yells that he has cancer, and the officer appears to pepper-spray her.
“We have to know what happened from the officers and what happened before it happened before we make a decision,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Chief Robert Luna said.
Several police officers held him down on the ground for several minutes and beat him repeatedly in La Joya.
The Los Angeles County sheriff spoke for the first time about the incident and emphasized that having provided the video indicated the transparency of the investigation, but that it was not yet concluded.
“The feds have officers who look at everything we do, so everything we’re going to do, is going to go through the feds and also through the inspector general’s office, and the Civilian Oversight Commission,” Luna added.
But the sheriff’s words have not changed the sentiments of the protesters, as they are calling for the dismissal and charges against the officers, as well as the removal of Captain John Lacrivain from the Lancaster station.
The sheriff indicated that the department will conduct an objective review to determine if the use of force was reasonable, necessary, appropriate, and commensurate with the level of the actions described.
For his part, a protester told Telemundo 52 that they will not meet with the sheriff until the two officers involved are fired and charged and Captain Lacrivain of the Lancaster sheriff’s station is replaced.
