How much of this issue do you think is about the race of the man...?

[bliss_eternal]

...involved?

FBI Investigates Violent LAPD Arrest
(CBS) LOS ANGELES Two Los Angeles police officers were under investigation day for allegedly beating a man during a "disturbing"
videotaped arrest in Hollywood in August, police Chief William Bratton said.

The video, posted on the popular YouTube Web site, shows Officer Alexander Schlegel holding down William Cardenas, 23, as Officer Patrick Farrell places his knee on the man's neck and punches his face with a fist six
times during the Aug. 11 scuffle near the intersection of Gordon Street and Fountain Avenue.

Cardenas is seen struggling with the officers while lying on his back, trying to yell, "I can't breathe."

"There's no denying that the video is disturbing," Bratton said during a news conference at the Los Angeles Police Department's downtown dispatch center.

"But as to whether the actions of the officers were appropriate in light of what they were experiencing and the totality of the circumstances is what the investigation will determine," he said

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taken from:
http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_313135950.html

[kwassa]

1. I think it is more the culture of the LAPD

Though I've been gone for 11 years, I don't think that it has changed very much. It has a quasi-military structure, and polices very aggressively, because LA has a smaller number of officers per citizen than almost any other major police force. After Daryl Gates was finally retired, the force has been going through a prolonged identity crisis, with different and relatively unsucessful police chiefs. Bratton is actually probably the best they have had, but that doesn't mean that even he can change the culture.

[bliss_eternal]

2. Great points, kwassa.

I'm still in Southern CA--but not in an area 'governed' by the LAPD anymore. I thought things would change after Gates, but they didn't--not much at least.

I agree, Bratton probably is the best they've had--but I don't care for the way he's handled the questions about this issue.

The culture of being a police officer is interesting. I've known of a few officers in other states and cities that sought stress leaves, seemingly for similar issues within. It's unfortunate that those that have to deal with the worst elements of society seem to almost become that very thing in a way. :(