LAPD rank-and-file rankled by Chief Beck’s candor

L.A. Police Chief Charlie Beck is defending his decision to recommend criminal charges against an officer involved in the fatal shooting of an unarmed homeless man in Venice.

Since going public earlier this week, Beck has been taking a lot of heat from the union that represents rank-and-file officers. The Los Angeles Police Protective League says it’s lost confidence in Beck’s ability to run the department.

In an effort to clear the air, Beck

paid a visit to the department’s Pacific Division yesterday to explain his rationale for recommending charges against Officer Clifford Proctor. He also sent a video to officers this week about his decision.

Proctor shot and killed 29-year-old Brendon Glenn during a confrontation outside of a Venice bar last May. Beck says Glenn, who was shot twice in the back, was trying to get up from the ground when he was fatally wounded. The chief says video evidence and witness statements show the shooting wasn’t justified. That video evidence has not been released,

It’s the first time that Beck has pushed for criminal charges against one of his officer’s in an on-duty shooting.

Jamie McBride, director of the Police Protective League, tells the L.A. Times that Beck is guilty of “political grandstanding” and “selling out” to appease critics of the department.

Earlier this week, Beck asked the civilian Police Commission to delay its review of the shooting until the L.A. County District Attorney decides whether to file criminal charges against Proctor. The Commission has not immediately responded to that request.

Proctor has not returned to work since the shooting.