LAPD Officer Clearance Puts Discipline, Reform in Doubt

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A 1999 police shooting has again stirred controversy in Los Angeles. Margaret Mitchell was a mentally ill, homeless woman questioned by cops about her use of a shopping cart. She ignored the officers and walked away, but later pulled a screwdriver and allegedly lunged at Officer Edward Larrigan who-d pulled his gun. Larrigan fired once. Mitchell died from a chest wound. Chief Bernard Parks called the shooting -in policy.- The civilian Inspector General and Police Commission disagreed. A mostly LAPD panel, set up to determine punishment was delayed for several reasons until last month, when it decided that Larrigan acted properly. Managing editor Kyle McKinnon discusses the contradictory findings with an assistant chief of the LAPD, the president of the Police Commission and a legal expert who helped led an independent investigation into the Rampart scandal.
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LA City's Committee on Budget and Finance

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)

Chief Bernard Parks on Margaret Mitchell shooting

LA Times article, "Police Back Officer in '99 Killing"

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton