May 2, 2007 7:35 pm US/Pacific
LAPD Chief Promises Probe Into Protest Violence
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
LA Police Chief William Bratton Police has promised an investigation into the police tactics used to clear immigration protesters from a park Tuesday.
At an afternoon press conference at City Hall, Bratton said he was "committed" to an "exhaustive review of the facts" of the melee in MacArthur Park.
The review, he said, would "determine if that use of force was an appropriate response."
Bratton said two department inquiries were already under way and would report back within 30 days.
The Police Commission also announced it has opened its own investigation into the incident.
News videos of the clash show officers striking people with batons and firing rubber bullets into crowds that included children and journalists. Authorities say several protesters threw rocks and bottles at police.
Rally organizers have denounced the police actions as brutal and unnecessary.
Several people, including about a dozen officers, were hurt during the skirmishes. Fire officials say about 10 people were taken by ambulance to hospitals for treatment.
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