On January 26, 2010 at about 8 p.m., two Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers were arrested by the Whittier Police Department for assault with a deadly weapon. The Whittier Police Department will conduct the criminal investigation. Investigators from LAPD Internal Affairs responded to the scene to conduct the administrative investigation.
Both officers will be on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation. Because this incident is a personnel matter, the LAPD is prohibited by law from releasing the officers’ names or divulging information from the administrative investigation. The LAPD takes this matter seriously. The LAPD will rigorously investigate this incident and fully cooperate with the Whittier Police Department.
Additional inquiries may be directed to Officer Mike Dekowski, Whittier Police Department spokesman at 562-945-8286.
Taco,
Did you see the booking photos on the KTLA website? Niether one of these officers looks like he got hit much less got beat up by two or three persons. What they do look like is drunk. With that said, I like BV and wish him the best. I hope what was reported here is not the final say on this story. However, his career is practically done. I wish him the best and I would go to bat for him in a second. It's just kind of hard to imagine where you got your information from that these officers were in a fight for their lives. I might be wrong, it could have happened just as you say and for BV I hope so. Again I wish him the best and I hope everything turns out well for him.
Posted by: Sidney | February 03, 2010 at 03:36 PM
Did anyone take a look at the booking photos on the KTAL website? If any of you can see something that I don't LIKE signs that they were in a fight for their lives I would certainly listen to how innocent they are or how they were in a fight with gang bangers. But according to the booking photos it does not look like either of these guys was in a fight where their lives were at stake that they had to chase down this guy and pistol whip him. I wish I could find something anything that points towards these two officers being in fear of their lives that they ran after the man after he had already left the area. I mean at the point when the guy leaves isn't the "fight" over? Why run aftr him and continue the fight? I wish both officers the best. They worked for the city and gave their best for a long time. To think that they lost their jobs because of one moment of quen es mas macho.
Posted by: Carrie | February 05, 2010 at 11:17 AM
I listened to the 911 calls made by witnesses. These cops are lucky the Whittier Police didn't shoot them.
Posted by: Rabbi Pedro Goldstein | February 06, 2010 at 05:34 PM
STILL WANT TO DEFEND THEM EDDIE???
Posted by: CITIZEN | February 08, 2010 at 08:21 AM
Citizen, You ever heard of innocent until proven guilty? Also, you need to read O'Shea's comment again. You appear to have a reading-comprehension problem.
Posted by: WHOCARES | February 08, 2010 at 06:37 PM
It's Edward. Or were you making a feeble attempt at being condisending or smart? Either way my answer is , yes. Unlike you I'm not a callow push over, and will wait for the "facts". You know,FACTS, those peskey things ingrates like yourself only reserve for baby diddlers, rapists and drug dealers.
Posted by: Ed O'Shea | February 08, 2010 at 07:00 PM
Some WPD officers thought the victim should've been arrested for Disturbing the Peace. Alas, the media fire was ablaze and they had no choice but to crucify their fellow officers who were only protecting themselves.
This was a Media BBQ party.
We all pray these Officers get off clean and get back to the important work of ridding the streets of criminals.
Posted by: Officer Levi Schlomo | February 09, 2010 at 02:17 AM
Ok Edward (eddie) I bet if we meet on the street you would want to fine something to arrest me for because I would not shut up or as you people say he keep mouthing off and would not shut up after I told him that's enough. I never shut up. EDDIE
Posted by: CITIZEN | February 09, 2010 at 01:32 PM
If a duly appointed officer of the law requests a CITIZEN to be quiet, it would only be wise to do so. When you're 4 yr old child yammers on and you ask him to be quiet for their own well being and he disobeys, isn't it only natural for some form of punishment to follow? Policing is very simple, you're basically managing aberrant behaviour--which society has collectively deemed aberrant.
Posted by: Dr. Phil | February 09, 2010 at 02:44 PM
are these cops nuts??? are the LAPD crazy? im just voicing my own personal opinion here, but isnt it strange that if a civilian was charged with this, they would be innocent until proven guilty. but if its a cop, oh no, they are as guilty as the sky is blue. i mean, what was the police department thinking???
Posted by: Nicki | February 11, 2010 at 08:15 AM
handcuffs put in the back of the police car for disagreeing with him/her and talking back. File a formal complaint win,lose or draw.
Posted by: CITIZEN | February 11, 2010 at 09:17 AM
In your case "CITIZEN" It would be a 72 hour 5150 hold coupled with a straight jacket. Because One Definately Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest in your case. You're one of those cats who's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay off the reservation, on a regular basis. You're entertaining though, cuckoo, but entertaining.
Posted by: Ed O'Shea | February 11, 2010 at 08:37 PM
Hey LAPD,for some us that lived here in the Whittier area both in the city of Whittier and the county of Los Angeles,we would not expect this kind of behavior from the L. A. Sheriff's Department or the Whittier Police Department. If your Officers are going to have these types of problems.
Please take away their right carry conceal weapons off duty. Especally, if they tend to drink acohol off duty; if not please keep this problem in your city. We have enough problems here in the Whittier area. we do not need or what your OFFICERS harassing people off duty with out Proble cause. I support Law Enforcement but this kind of behavior is not right unless the OFFICERS' lives were in danger. Otherwise this type of behavior should not tolerated form any Law Enforcement Angency. Thanks Anthony
Posted by: Anthony | February 14, 2010 at 12:55 AM
Love you too eddie
Posted by: CITIZEN | February 15, 2010 at 09:42 AM
Their lives were in danger, Anthony. That's why they had to use drastic means to control the situation and protect themselves and loved ones.
Posted by: Ofcr. Theresa Thomas | February 15, 2010 at 03:11 PM
Cops are Disrespectable to ALL Citizens of ANY Color, Gender or National Origin. Stop the Cops, They think they can do anything they want, because they have a Weapon and Badge
Posted by: Don Duke | February 16, 2010 at 05:57 AM
Officer Teresa Thomas all reports say they started it. so they put there own lives in danger. They had weapons not the person they beat on.
Posted by: CITIZEN | February 16, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Citizen,
Were you a witness?
Are you privy to the arrest report?
Were you able to talk to the parties involved in this case?
The officers reaction was a direct result of the actions of the group of Hooligans conveniently not mentioned in the media. The fact that these Hooligans were overpowered by two officers who could've easily meted more punishment but restrained themselves is a testament to their professionalism and their commitment to the community.
There's 3 sides to all stories, yours, mine and the truth.
Why did the media conveniently leave out this riotous group of Hooligans from their reports?
Posted by: Ofcr. Mccormick | February 16, 2010 at 07:52 PM
I've been a victim of hooligans myself while out with my significant other. I commend these officers for their self control.
Posted by: Patrick | February 17, 2010 at 08:52 AM
What story did you read? Every last one says the two dummies started it. I guess you just can't accept it. Who got arrested??? Who?? come on who??
Posted by: CITIZEN | February 17, 2010 at 09:42 AM
The group of suspects who started the confrontation (according to the girlfriend and other witnesses) started it.
Girlfriend runs to get Ofcr. Valdez's friend. 5 or 6 cholos against 2 LAPD officers, of course LAPD's going to come out on top.
WPD based its arrest on verifiable injuries, LAPD officers don't make a habit of losing fights. Instead of calling it mutual combat (6 against 2), officers were arrested.
Those are the facts, CITIZEN.
Posted by: Just the Facts, Ma'am | February 17, 2010 at 01:36 PM
That's the difference, CITIZEN. You are merely reading about these events. You sit behind your laptop reading about everyone else’s experiences and posting meaningless comments, never having had any interaction with the people in the community. Knowledge is good. Knowledge without experience? Not so much. Go out there where the rubber meets the road and then come on here and post. You have not yet lived.
Posted by: LT Driscoll | February 17, 2010 at 09:23 PM
Everyone in America has the right to Due Process. Even Police Officers.Innocent until proven guilty.
We are a Nation of Laws, DO NOT FORGET IT!
Posted by: J Len | February 18, 2010 at 09:19 PM