Independent Review Called For After LAPD Incidents Involving Mental Health Crises

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officials released security footage showing a group of officers dealing with a disturbing incident in the San Fernando Valley jail. The recording shows officers using force on Jose Carlos Hoyos-Munoz, aged 58, following claims that he was uncooperative and spat on them. Eventually, he died in the jail cell, raising serious concerns and spotlighting issues within the community.

The footage revealed officers repeatedly restraining and hitting Hoyos-Munoz after he showed erratic behavior. Despite being handcuffed, he received multiple blows. Additionally, officers put a hood over his head when he spat at them. Left in a prone position with his hands cuffed behind his back, law enforcement returned to his cell later to find him unconscious and not breathing. He was declared dead at the scene.

In light of this incident and another fatal shooting in Harvard Heights, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has called for independent investigations into these events. She expressed deep concern in a public statement, highlighting that poor investment in mental health services has led many residents to face law enforcement without proper mental health support. These situations result in officers handling crises that they are not adequately trained for.

The tragic deaths of Hoyos-Munoz and Alejandro Luis Garcia exemplify the risks faced when individuals in crisis don’t receive needed care, Mayor Bass said.

She announced an executive order to conduct an independent review of incidents involving officer-related deaths and severe injuries, mainly focusing on crisis cases. This review aims to discover systemic issues and improve policies, training, and overall safety for both the public and officers.

Hoyos-Munoz was jailed following an incident at his family home two days earlier. LAPD officers responded to a call where he reportedly attacked family members. After Hoyos-Munoz resisted arrest, SWAT utilized tear gas to enter the residence and detain him. He appeared distressed, found kneeling before a piano and striking its keys. Once medically cleared from tear gas exposure, he was brought to the Valley jail, initially appearing calm. However, tension escalated after entering his cell, leading to multiple forceful interventions by officers trying to restrain him for his safety.

LAPD spokesperson Capt. Michael Bland highlighted that officers resorted to various techniques, like knee strikes, to control Hoyos-Munoz. They eventually found him in a prone position with an officer applying pressure on his shoulder blades. Though Hoyos-Munoz initially showed signs of life, he was later found unresponsive.

Three guards reported minor injuries during the incident. Current investigations by both the LAPD and the state’s In-Custody Death Review (ICDR) Division are underway. The Medical Examiner has yet to determine the exact cause of Hoyos-Munoz’s death.

Another incident involved the shooting of Alejandro Garcia, aged 33. Officers found Garcia with a baseball bat, damaged windows, and ordered him to drop the weapon. It’s unclear whether Garcia heard their commands before police fatally shot him. Footage from the encounter suggests discrepancies with the LAPD’s earlier reports, which alleged that Garcia swung the bat before being shot.