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Los Angeles City Council members, along with police chief Jim McDonnell on Tuesday, challenged departmental relationships with federal counterparts, refraining from handling LAPD protests against President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
The chief appeared before the council and was sometimes in chaos as the Los Angeles Police Department discussed attempts to control the protests that have erupted daily since Friday.
Mayor Karen Bass and other local officials have condemned both the demonstrations that erupted in several protests and the federal migrant attacks that spurred destruction and violence. The Trump administration sent the National Guard and Marines to LA in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s objection. She said Tuesday that she was considering a curfew in downtown Los Angeles. As the protests show no signs of a settlement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegses announced that military deployment will last for at least 60 days.
McDonnell told City Council that his officers arrested 114 people in protest on Monday night. One was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon by a police officer, while another was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. LAPD arrested 27 people in protest on Saturday and 40 on Sunday.
In the afternoon’s most delicious exchange, Councillor Imelda Padilla asked the chief if the LAPD would consider warning city officials if they heard from federal law enforcement that an immigrant raid would come.
“You ask me to warn me about another agency taking enforcement action before it happens? We cannot do that,” replied McDonnell. He pointed out that such warnings would obstruct justice.
“It would be totally inappropriate and illegal,” he said.
City Council Speaker Markey Harris Dawson said he opposed the Chiefs to refer to agencies such as U.S. immigration and customs enforcement as “law enforcement partners.”
“If you know someone is here to abandon this city’s residents’ warrantless aid, then they are not our partners,” he said. “I don’t care what badges they have or whose orders they’re making. They’re not our partners.”
In an interview after the meeting, McDonnell said his department must continue to work with federal agencies on issues other than immigration enforcement. Since 1979, LAPD has taken a strong stance on federal immigration law enforcement, prohibiting officers from entering into contact with anyone for the sole purpose of learning immigration status.
“All the crimes we potentially investigate may be cooperating. [federal agencies]McDonnell said. “This is a partnership, and without that partnership, we cannot go to the World Cup or the Olympics, and we are demanding that we work with federal, state and local partners.”
Other council members targeted the Chief more than the rubber bullet shots of his officers during the protest.
“To see reporters being shot with rubber bullets… live television will not add to elimination of discharges,” Councillor Hugo Soto Martinez said, referring to an Australian reporter who was shot during Sunday’s protest. “We must keep in mind the tactics used by some LAPD members that are being added to the escalation.”
“The same can be said about LAPD so that a few protesters can take away from messaging. It overshadows the response,” he added.
Councillor Eunisses Hernandez said some LAPD officials acted “outside of boundaries due to the situation.”
“I’m to the lawyers posting videos of them being shot,” she said. “I’ve seen a video of non-lethal dismissals being fired by protesters over 50 yards away.”
McDonnell responded that LAPD is the country’s top division and would help executives hold their actions accountable. However, he said that he could not speak in the protest about the use of certain forces by his officers as the situation was still developing.
On Tuesday, City Council members Tim Makoscar, Isabel Jurado and Hernandez signed proposals to various city agencies to provide information on security infrastructure to prevent illegal entry by federal agencies at city halls, council offices, public service counters, city-owned parking and other facilities.
“As this federal political theatre unfolds, the safety of urban facilities must provide special consideration for both city employees and the public,” the proposal states.
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