Iced Tea
4-13-05, 4:48 PM
Sorry, but the article title was too good to use something different.
Lighter flashlights approved after police beating
Wednesday, April 13, 2005 Posted: 2:06 PM EDT (1806 GMT)
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- The city's police commission Tuesday cleared the way for Chief William Bratton to equip officers with lighter flashlights following last year's beating of a suspected car thief.
Lighter flashlights would be "in the best interest of the department, in the best interest of the city," Bratton said.
The civilian panel's vote allowing Bratton to select new flashlights came after Officer John Hatfield pummeled motorist Stanley Miller last June with a standard-issue flashlight. The beating led to widespread objections to using the device as a weapon.
Shortly after, Bratton began reviewing a series of flashlights on the market that would be smaller than the foot-long, 2-pound models now carried by LAPD officers. Among the possibilities is a 7-inch plastic version.
Some commissioners questioned the need for new gear.
"We ought to give our officers an advantage, and that advantage is a piece of equipment they can use to defend themselves," said Alan Skobin, the panel's vice president.
I don't know whether to laugh, be disgusted or think it's a good idea.
Link (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/04/13/police.beatings.ap/index.html)
Lighter flashlights approved after police beating
Wednesday, April 13, 2005 Posted: 2:06 PM EDT (1806 GMT)
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- The city's police commission Tuesday cleared the way for Chief William Bratton to equip officers with lighter flashlights following last year's beating of a suspected car thief.
Lighter flashlights would be "in the best interest of the department, in the best interest of the city," Bratton said.
The civilian panel's vote allowing Bratton to select new flashlights came after Officer John Hatfield pummeled motorist Stanley Miller last June with a standard-issue flashlight. The beating led to widespread objections to using the device as a weapon.
Shortly after, Bratton began reviewing a series of flashlights on the market that would be smaller than the foot-long, 2-pound models now carried by LAPD officers. Among the possibilities is a 7-inch plastic version.
Some commissioners questioned the need for new gear.
"We ought to give our officers an advantage, and that advantage is a piece of equipment they can use to defend themselves," said Alan Skobin, the panel's vice president.
I don't know whether to laugh, be disgusted or think it's a good idea.
Link (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/04/13/police.beatings.ap/index.html)