The Secret Police of Los Angeles: Daryl Gates’ Paranoid Legacy

Staff / Truthdig Apr 20, 2010 The former L.A. police chief, who died Friday, was notorious for presiding over a racist and brutal department (it had a nasty habit of strangling and shooting unarmed suspects to death), but he also had more than 200 spies keeping tabs on city bigwigs. One was even dispatched to Russia and Cuba, reports David Cay Johnston. (continued) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

No Firings in LAPD’s May Day Brutality

Staff / Truthdig Jul 1, 2009 A Los Angeles police review panel comprised mostly of cops has refused to fire any of the officers involved in the 2007 May Day brutality in MacArthur Park. The city shelled out $13 million in settlements because of the melee, but the worst punishment handed down was a 20-day suspension for one cop. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

It’s Official Again: LAPD Is Not Racist

Staff / Truthdig May 1, 2008 After an internal investigation of over 300 complaints of racial profiling, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Tuesday that not even one accusation of profiling it received last year had merit. Even more ridiculous is the fact that 2007 marks the sixth consecutive year that the LAPD has failed to find any example of race-based misconduct within its ranks. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bill Maher on LAPD Bullies

Staff / Truthdig May 14, 2007 In light of the LAPD's recent storm trooper-like behavior, Bill Maher reminds police everywhere, "We want to support you -- even to love you -- but you have to remember, it says 'To protect and serve' on the side of the car, not 'What the f--- are you looking at?' " Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

L.A. Mayor’s Back in Town

Staff / Truthdig May 5, 2007 After traveling to El Salvador and Mexico during the week that began with a May Day clash between immigration rights demonstrators and the LAPD, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wisely decided on Friday to cut his sojourn short by five days and return home to deal with the fallout. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

L.A. Police, Crowds Clash at May Day Rally

Staff / Truthdig May 3, 2007 Around 35,000 protesters marched for immigrants' and workers' rights in Los Angeles on May Day, according to the L.A. Times. Other sources give higher numbers for this year's turnout. The rallies continued without major incident until the early evening, when police in riot gear arrived to break up a gathering at MacArthur Park. Watch the clip Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

YouTube Video Prompts FBI Probe of LAPD

Staff / Truthdig Nov 14, 2006 The FBI has launched a police brutality investigation of the LAPD after a video surfaced on YouTube of a police officer repeatedly punching a suspected gang member in the face. Read about it, and watch the video. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )