Under fire for using pepper spray on a handcuffed suspect, the Los Angeles Police Department concluded that there was no need to change its policy regarding use of the spray, the Los Angeles Times reports. An investigation into possible excessive force against the officer was ruled “not resolved” by Police Chief William Bratton, which means that the complaint could not be sustained nor the officer exonerated because of conflicting evidence.
Pepper spray “is a highly effective, non-lethal tool that is necessary for officers to use when trying to de-escalate a confrontation with an uncooperative and/or combative suspect,” Bratton said. Peter Bibring of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California called the department’s decision “troubling.” The ACLU for a ban or limit on the use of pepper spray on suspects restrained in handcuffs or placed in patrol cars.
Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pepper22nov22,1,5848831.story?coll=la-headlines-california