Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is demanding an independent review of two deadly LAPD encounters caught on video, even as both cases began with men allegedly engaging in dangerous, violent behavior that prompted police intervention.
Bass said Friday the footage was “incredibly difficult to watch” as she announced plans for an executive directive examining officer-involved deaths and severe injuries, particularly those involving people experiencing mental health crises.
But Bass also acknowledged that police will continue to be called when people in crisis become violent.
“The reality is, until society provides the proper care for individuals with mental health disorders, law enforcement will continue to be called upon to respond, especially when those individuals exhibit violent behavior,” she said.
One case involved 59-year-old Jose Carlos Hoyos-Munoz, who was arrested July 13 after allegedly attacking his mother and brother with a deadly weapon and barricading himself inside a Chatsworth home, according to LAPD.
The eight-hour standoff ended with police taking Hoyos-Munoz into custody. He was initially taken to a hospital to be “treated for exposure to gas utilized by SWAT personnel” before being released and booked into Van Nuys Regional Jail.
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Two days later, jail staff removed him from his cell, where police said a “non-categorial use of force” occurred as officers placed him in a “five-point restraint chair” to take his fingerprints.
Hoyos-Munoz was later moved to a single-person cell and kept handcuffed briefly.
When officers returned, another “non-categorial use of force” occurred, police said. Officers placed Hoyos-Munoz face down on his bunk and removed his cuffs. About 20 minutes later, officers found him unconscious and not breathing.
“Despite medical intervention, Hoyos-Munoz failed to respond to treatment and was pronounced deceased,” the LAPD said.
Three detention officers were also injured during altercations with Hoyos-Munoz. They were treated for contusions and minor lacerations.
The second fatal encounter involved Alejandro Lopez Garcia, who police said was armed with a baseball bat in South Los Angeles on July 29.
Garcia was allegedly swinging the bat at people and occupied cars beneath the 10 Freeway near Normandie Avenue and Washington Boulevard in West Adams.
When officers arrived shortly before 6:30 p.m., police said Garcia was still wielding the bat, including at officers and bystanders.
Officers opened fire, killing Garcia.
Bass said both men appeared to be experiencing mental health crises and blamed decades of disinvestment in community-based mental and behavioral health services for leaving too many Angelenos without timely care.
She said LAPD officers “do not enter the force to become first responders to mental health crises” and are not equipped with the proper training to do so.
Bass’s planned independent review will examine LAPD policies, training, tactics, supervision and accountability.
It will also consider mental health support for officers following critical incidents.
She also called for expanded civilian crisis-response and co-response programs for people in crisis who have not exhibited violent behavior, potentially reducing the need for armed officers.
“Public safety cannot be achieved through law enforcement alone,” Bass said.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You are not alone. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
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