Judge Orders LAPD to Cease Use of 40mm Less Lethal Weapon in Protests
The LAPD has recently issued an order to its officers to cease using a specific type of less lethal weapon during protests. This decision comes after a federal judge found the Department in contempt of a previous ruling that restricted the use of these weapons for crowd control purposes. The order specifically prohibits the use of the 40mm weapon in any crowd control situation, effective immediately.
The directive from the LAPD was communicated to officers on Thursday, emphasizing the immediate cessation of the 40mm weapon's use in crowd control scenarios. While the LAPD confirmed the order, they refrained from providing further comments on the matter. Similarly, the LA City Attorney's Office acknowledged the judge's ruling and stated that they are currently reviewing it.
U.S. District Court Judge Consuelo B. Marshall issued the order after evidence surfaced that LAPD officers had violated her previous restrictions on the use of less lethal weapons during protests against immigration enforcement. The contempt order highlighted instances where officers deployed the 40mm munitions on protestors who did not pose an immediate threat, failed to issue warnings before using the weapons, and targeted restricted areas of the body.
The order detailed several examples of the misuse of the 40mm weapon, including incidents where officers shot individuals who were not posing a threat. These instances ranged from shooting a man with his hands up in the face to targeting a seated woman holding a sign and shooting a lawyer in the groin upon request for identification. The lawsuit prompting this week's order was filed by Black Lives Matter in 2020, following complaints of indiscriminate use of less lethal weapons during protests after George Floyd's murder.
In response to the lawsuit, Judge Marshall issued a preliminary injunction in 2021 that outlined strict guidelines for the use of launchers like the 40mm weapon. Officers were only permitted to use these weapons if they had received specific training and met qualification requirements annually. The injunction specified that the weapons could only be fired at individuals violently resisting police or posing an immediate threat of violence, with warnings to be given beforehand.
Furthermore, the injunction prohibited targeting specific areas of the body, such as the head, neck, face, eyes, kidneys, chest, groin, or spine, and mandated a minimum distance of 5 feet between the officer and the target. The 40mm weapons in question utilize a small gunpowder charge to propel foam or sponge projectiles, designed to be less lethal alternatives for crowd control situations.
In conclusion, the LAPD's decision to halt the use of the 40mm less lethal weapon during protests follows a federal judge's ruling that found the Department in contempt for violating restrictions on the weapon's use. The order underscores the importance of adhering to guidelines for the deployment of less lethal weapons to ensure the safety and rights of protestors during demonstrations.