LAPD Officer Arrested

Los Angeles:  Today, Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton announced that investigators with the Department's Professional Standards Bureau arrested a 13-year veteran officer early this morning for violating Penal Code Section 149, Assault Under the Color of Authority.

Forty-one-year-old Sean Joseph Meade was arrested at his home around 7:00 A.M. this morning after a non-stop investigation, which began around 2:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 5, 2006.

At approximately 1:25 A.M. on December 5, 2006, Officer Meade and his partner were handling booking procedures for the arrest of a 16-year-old Hispanic male, who had been detained in Chinatown on a curfew violation.  The detainee had been taken to the Central Area Police Station.

After hearing a disturbance between Meade and the arrestee in a juvenile holding room, a third officer alerted the station watch commander who immediately initiated a personnel complaint investigation. The watch commander directed Scientific Investigation Division to take photographs of the holding room, the officer, and the detainee.  The 16-year-old was examined at a local hospital, but he had no apparent injuries.  He remains in custody at juvenile hall as police have not been able to locate his parents or a responsible guardian.

At the time of the incident, the officers and the watch commander were unaware that a camera, which had been set up near the holding room to obtain evidence of vandalism to chairs in the detective squad room, captured a portion of the assault.

Investigators and technicians enhanced the videotape and viewed it. Upon being notified of the preliminary findings, Chief Bratton ordered that Officer Meade be relieved of duty, which occurred at 8:00 P.M. on December 6, when the officer reported for duty at the police station. His badge, gun and police identification were taken.

After viewing the tape himself later that evening, Chief Bratton ordered the officer’s arrest.  Prosecutors from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Justice System Integrity Division (JSID) have been informed of the investigation, as has the Mayor’s office, Inspector General, the Police Commission, and the FBI.

The criminal and disciplinary investigations are ongoing.  State law limits the amount of information the police department can disclose from a peace officer personnel complaint investigation, including the videotape of the incident.

Download dec_7_press_conference_audio.wma

Comments

[policegirl]

This seems completely out of character for the Sean Meade I know. Before he is tried in the court of public opinion, please be respectful of the fact that he not only has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, he has friends and family who may be reading this blog. Let the investigation and the law take its course.

[Marc]

I agree that no one should be tried in the media or via a blog, which is why it is questionable to publicize the arrests of "Johns" prior to a conviction. This blog publicizes their names and for the Police Dept. to do so can cause hardship.

Neeedless to say all convictions (and pleas of guilty-which are actually convictions) should be reported through the media, and via this blog if the department so desires.

When I commented on this before all the officers that comment on this blog stated that if I only knew how much of a problem prostitution is, etc... , I'd have a different opinion. Well, I live in Canoga Park and I know wll too well the problem of crime, and I support law and order and tough enforcement.

However, we all (police and civillian) have rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

In any event, I wish all those who serve on the LAPD and all fellow bloggers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[Harry]

A camera set up to obtain evidence of vandalism to chairs in the detectives squad room. Thats such bull. Why can't they just say it was an sting. Why would chairs in a detectives squad room be vandalized. I wonder how long IA had the camera in there?

[Wayne]

>he not only has the right
>to be presumed innocent
>until proven guilty

I think you mean "unless proven guilty." "Until proven guilty" intimates that he is, in fact, guilty and we're just waiting for that outcome.

[Anthony]

I have always been someone who has had the utmost respect for police officers. Until recently I have always somewhat dismissed other people claims that some police officers are racist, use unneccesary force or abuse their powers. It is becoming too frequent where their is video footage of a police officer attacking a person who is handcuffed or already subdued. How deep does the disease go? Can a fair unbiased decision really be reached. "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."-Declaration of Independance 1776.

How far we have strayed from our founding fathers!

[Kathleen Amos]

I have known Sean for approximately 5 years. He is one of the finest men, and officers I know.

[Tina]

I personally know Meade and this is completely out of character for him. I find it absolutely hard to beleive that he would for no apparent reason use unnecessary force on a minor or anyone for that matter. It outrages me that in light of what other officers may have done in the past that now the chief of police is deciding to go to such media measures to let everyone know that they do not tolorate any violence. At this point with everything alot of other officers have done, they decide to try to make an example of him this way and not only humiliate him or his family without being absolutley sure that he is guilty.

[Jack Welch]

Right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty? I do not belive you understood the incident. A boy is arrested for a curfew violation, is handcuffed and an officer comes up to him and assaults him on camera. Now, the facts of the situation are clear. He is guilty of assault, the "proven guilty" is now just a formality that must be observed for the officer to be sentenced. This incident is even more unbelievable due to the "crime" of the subject, he is arrested for curfew violation while walking with his girlfriend! How insane is this? If I lived in L.A. when I was 16 I would have a long criminal history and perhaps a few yet-to-heal bone fractures.

[Stanley]

It's obvious that the Sean Meade some people know turned out to be a phony. How some can defend him and ask for respect is mind-boggling. Here you have a police officer that is supposed to be protecting our citizens abusing them clearly in a video without provocation. I commend the officer who notified his superiors and Internal Affairs for removing an animal from the LAPD and shame on those who protect him.

[Khelama]

What is amazing is that no matter how many of these incidents occur, the officers involved are always upheld. As one ex-cop told me, "until people hold officers to the same or higher standard as they do the people they are hired to protect, they will continue to abuse their power. Because they know they can get away with it." This commander should be commended for acting without prejudice. It proves that some leaders remember who pay their salaries.

[Huber Matos]

I worked in L.A for seven years before I left for another department. Everytime I get nostalgic about LAPD, a new media caper surfaces and I thank my lucky stars I left. I have had to put hands on handcuffed individuals several times in my career and some of them juveniles. The resistance and tomfoolery does not end because a person is handcuffed. I dont't know Mead but he has enough time to know that every contact/arrest in L.A. is a potential 1.28. The travesty in Rampart and the Consent Decree will make sure of that. So I have to believe that this officer had a valid reason to put hands on this guy, juvie or not. In true LAPD fashion, justified or not, this man will be thrown to the wolves to preserve itself. I truly pity my brothers and sisters in L.A. You are one image or sound bite away from disaster. In LAPD, if you do right no one remembers. If you do wrong no one forgets.

[Paul williams]

Often times police officer behaves as if the crime that someone commit is against them personally instead of the state. So it's difficult for them to isolate themselve from the reality of things. This job is not a very easy one so the less complex the individual officer makes it then he or she should stand a better chance of upholding the law in an ethical manner. I am not really sorry for the officer because as a trained individual he should have known better. My heart goes out to his family. Let this be a lesson to all officers before you react unprofessionally or unethically to any condition be aware of your surrouding. In your comment this point was observed "Before he is tried in the court of public opinion, please be respectful of the fact that he not only has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, he has friends and family who may be reading this blog". Treat all individual with respect and the same will be shown to you.

[Shannon]

This is just another example of the racist attitudes of the LAPD.

[PoliceWoman]

I have been a police officer for the same amount of time that Mr. Meade was, thirteen years. I have worked every part of the City of Los Angeles as a patrol officer. My entire career has been spent in uniform in the field. I have been a training officer for seven years. I came on the job post Rodney King. I have dealt with and worked through every scandal that has occured since that time. I have experienced sexism, sexual harrasment, racism, favoritism, and that's before I got off of probation. I've never made any complaints on any of my fellows officers regarding any of these issues. I follow department policies and abide by and enforce the law. I'm proactive and posses a strong work ethic. I enjoy my job and take pride in the work I do. I believe that the job of a training officer is the most important position in this departmant. Beyond the Chief of Police or any of the brass. I have the responsibility of teaching and guiding new officers. It is my job to translate the words of our Core Values to my probationers into a functioning reality everyday, as difficult as that might be. I have seen that we as police officers are our own worst enemies. The officers that work hard and do the right thing bear the burden of those who take shortcuts and violate the law and policy.

Mr Meade, you've done us all a disservice. You violated the public trust. And I am almost positive that it wasn't the first time you've done so if you were that comfortable in commiting your criminal actions in the police station. I have absolutely no problem with your termination and arrest. I will not support you. I am not alone amongst officers in this belief. You do not earn my respect by default just because you once wore a badge.

On Monday, I will work with a brand new officer that has just graduated from the academy. I will use you as an example of how not to be. I will use you as an example of how not to take this job too personal. You should not have become reckless and lost control. You lost sight of who you were supposed to be. You are a reminder of why I became a police officer: bad guys need to go to jail. Period. Good luck to you.

And for the citizens reading this, yes, we hire from the human race. I've seen some amazing acts of heroism from my fellow officers of the caliber that you would not believe. I work with some of the best people you could ever hope to know. Our job is complex. It is as frustrating as it is rewarding. Mr Meade is more than a bad apple. He is not the norm for the LAPD.

(PS policegirl, check out the rap sheet sometime and see what types of disciplinary actions are handed out to officers as a result of their laspes in judgement (DUI's, off-duty incidents, domestic violence, etc). The department is more likely to send people home with pay pending further investigation on high profile incidents such as this. A friend of mine that was involved in the Rampart scandal was sent home for almost two years but never lost her pay. The officer from the YouTube video is in the penalty box (kit room) at Hollywood. He hasn't been and probably won't be fired. This would lead me to believe that there is a little bit more to Mr Meade's incident than what has been release througout the department and to the public. I'd bet there is solid evidence against him. You know how the District Attorney is about filing cases ;)

[Grunt]

To characterize this incident as "another troubling videotaped instance of LAPD misconduct" missed the point. The media failed miserably to recognize that this matter was discovered, investigated and brought to the public's attention by the personnel of the department. Individuals, being human, will, at times, behave egregiously. But systemically, the department behaved in a commendatory, exemplary manner.

[Newton Cop]

Hang in there, Sean. Your good name will be restored in time. Darryl Munger & Jodi Gonda are the two best lawyers.

[Used to be LAPD]

Meade "assaulted" a juvenile. Withoug seeing the tape, there can be a great distinction between backhanding a loud, unruly and obnoxious kid and beating him with closed fists and boots. They all fall under the definition of "assault" so I'll wait until the hearings to pass judgement.

There was a time when I first came on the job when it was common practice to beat the hell out of everyone that lead us into a pursuit. That ended way before the Rodney King incident, but some officers maintained the 1970's mentality into the new millenium. I know because I was one of them and was fired after an OIS (Officer Involved Shooting) in what was then called South Central Los Angeles (actualy near the northwest corner of 77th Division).

I damn near caused another riot by my actions.

Cops are human and they react like everyone else. Training on how to react is the key and I wish I had the training I needed before I got into the OIS. I fell upon a comment uttered by a Tactics instructor when I was in the Academy; "As long as you believe what you do is right, the Department will support you."

I did and they didn't, but there are political ramifications to everything, and I personally believe that the Department did the right thing politically by firing me.

I don't wish the career options of a fired cop on anyone, and I offer my support to Meade in this case but being in the wrong place (station) at the wrong time (during a videotaped sting) will likely cost him his career.

Guys and ladies on the job heed this warning: Pay attention to what you do. It is not only your suspect's life but your life and that of your family.

I lost my family and my career and my pension and my insurance, etc., etc. after criminal trials and BOR's.

Don't do it - it isn't worth it.

[policegirl]

Policewoman,

If you have in fact suffered through sexism, sexual harassment and racism and did not report it, then you are NOT following Department policy. Nor are you doing anyone a favor by allowing that behavior to continue. By you not reporting such acts, the person gets away with mistreating you and also gets to mistreat someone else. Take a hard look at your own actions (or rather, inactions) before you start throwing stones.

If you want examples of bad cops for your new P-1, use the ones we have fired and sent to prison. There are plenty of those.

[larry]

Why do I scratch my head(no it's not dandruff) in curiosity as to whether police girl is a real cop. I have seen several of her posts and something just does not add up in the posts,do you agree police woman? Anyone can post on public sites claiming to be anyone and pick up some police lingo here and there. Thats the only thing about these boards ,you can claim to be anyone. A real cop knows a real cop . One thing I know is there are allot of posers out there that a obsession with LE or hang out on LE areas or boards. There was a "female cop" that frequented
a few boards and her actions and posts pretty much brought me to the realization she wsn't....never called her on it but I know.

[WatchtheWatchCommander]

am most disturbed by the fact that the employee that reported the incident to the Watch Commando, chose to 'report' instead of interceding.

If a Policeman is engaged in a use-of-force, your first instinct should be to run to their aid, not run to the W/C.

If I was the W/C that day, I would have initiated a complaint for cowardice on the 'reporting employee'.

Every cop is in a leadership position, if you see something wrong, stop it THEN report it.

Be a cop for godsakes!

[time cop]

Policewoman, after reading your comments and reading your opinion it is not a surprise your are still in patrol with your time on.

[Captain Smith]

Readers:
I won’t comment on the incident itself, however as the Commanding Officer of Central Area, I can tell you why we had the surveillance cameras set up in the detective squadroom. Over the past few months, someone, not sure who, was tearing apart the arms of the chairs when the detectives were not there. Specifically, someone was picking apart the vinyl padding on the chair arms, kinda like they do at times to the steering wheels of police cars. We replaced the chair arms over and over, but the detectives continued to complain to me about the damage recurring. I went to roll calls and told whoever was doing it to knock it off, but it continued. So, we eventually took a crime report for vandalism and I borrowed the surveillance cameras from Narcotics Division. This was about two months ago. It had nothing to do with any IA sting, it was strictly in house, and FYI, the vandalism has stopped.

[recruit]

let the video tape tell the story. if he was totally innocent, Bratton wouldn't have pulled his gun and badge...

[Ed O'Shea]

I have known Sean for quite some time now and I know him to be honorable, ethical, hard working, and one of the best and smartest all around Police Officers and leaders I know! If you, regardless of your rank needed assistance with any type of investigation, or you were in need of a good rep, Sean would only need to know when and where you need him to be! He is a great person who would give you the shirt off his back! All of you nay-sayers are being hypocritical by demonizing him in the public eye prior to hearing the circumstances and FACTS first! I'm sure it would be shocking for you all to hear that the Chief might have acted just a bit prematurely. Absolutely SHOCKING, because that NEVER happens in this city, Paaalease! And as for the Chief, he missed a golden opportunity here when he demonized a Police Officer that has done more good for the communities that he has served than any stuffed suit could ever dream of! He could have said to the new recruit class, you have a long road ahead of you and you will be met with great temptation by people that you might think are in need of a back-hander, but you have to use your head and not allow those types of degenerates to get under your skin! Here we have a good Police Officer that slipped, and made a mistake, doing something that he regrets! But he is standing up and taking his punishment like a man! Learn from him, learn from both the great things and "bad" (debatable) thing he has done as well as his demonstrable integrity! Here you have a man who says, you know what I screwed up and let junior get the best of me, and I am taking my punishment on the chin. And all of you arm chair Chiefs want to burn him at the stake? All of you that are speaking before you have the FACTS (you remember those) should be ashamed of your rush to judgment, you make me sick! No idea what the facts are but you demonize this man whom none of you nay-sayers even know, shame on you! He is a harder worker than any of you code 37 uniforms could even fathom! And don't you dare Chief Bratton, profess to speak for me (and yes I am an LAPD South Central Police Officer) or his family and children, they/we are and should be VERY PROUD of Officer Sean Meade, and if you were worth your salt you would be to, for the reasons I outlined, " PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY" ! This little gem was done a great service being arrested by Sean, a Police Officer who obviously cares about the little gem, and the people of this city enough to correct his animalistic behavior (spitting and swearing at Police Officers, etc., etc.), which is more than I can say, at the moment anyway, for his family (know where to be found)! I want to see the video tape before I see the rest of you open your mouths, about how bad of a person Sean is, I'm embarrassed that you all work for the same LAPD I do, though with some of the hiring practices, I'm not shocked! Sean is ENTITLED to a FAIR and IMPARTIAL investigation and as for the criminal investigation, INNOCENT until PROVEN guilty! You people remember that part of the judicial system, right??? Hypocrites! We don't make decisions until we have all the facts, and then the COURTS, with a jury of his peers, decides on whether or not a person is not guilty or guilty!
Sean we are here for you brother, and we will not let this department use you as a punch line or a punching bag in an attempt to look like it is transparent and filtering out "bad Police Officers"!

The people you have served and served with know you to be the stand up Man you are! And the city had better look long and hard into the type of fight this is going to turn into, if they attempt to run you through the ringer and continue to vilify your character!

To all my fellow Warrior Cops, Stay Safe, both inside and out!

Ed O'Shea

PS Sean keep your chin up Brother!

[Ed O'Shea]

Hey recruit: You don't know anything about anything yet! You concern yourself with your learning LD's and your fitness! When you get 1 hour on the job you can opine about practical application vs a nice touchy feely style of Policing! Wow, what an obtuse statement! Wow, that's what we're hiring! No wonder the Sherrifs are whooping us in recruiting.
Stay Safe from the cafe at the Academy. It must just be a bear in that nice safe controled environment where you get cottled and hugged instead of prepared for the real rigors of Police work!
Ed O'Shea