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L.A. Police Commission Releases App For Filing Complaints And Reading Reports
(Photo by fourbyfourblazer via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
The Los Angeles Police Commission—the agency that oversees the LAPD—has introduced a new app that citizens can use to get information, which included the location of the nearest station, reports from the Commission, and how to provide feedback regarding interactions with individual officers. The app is free, and available on both iOS and Android.
Take a moment and download the new #LAPD @OIGLABOPC app. It's a great resource every Angelino should utilize. https://t.co/QDBwlkG0jA
— Chief Charlie Beck (@LAPDChiefBeck) January 11, 2017
According to the L.A. Times, Inspector General Alex Bustamante said that the app came about because while many Angelenos do not have a home computer, most of them do have a smartphone. The app should make it easier for citizens to file comments—positive or negative—about interactions with LAPD officers, and to find contact info for relevant city departments. Additionally, a GPS-enabled map will shows users where their nearest police station is located.
According to the app's description:
Under the Los Angeles City Charter, the OIG has guaranteed access to all documents, audio recordings, and videos within the Department’s possession. OIG staff can go to any location controlled by the Department. The OIG can also initiate an investigation, for any reason, and on any matter. The OIG does not report to the Los Angeles Police Department or any of its leadership, including the Chief of Police, and there is no way for the Department to stop our investigations or otherwise influence them.
I downloaded the app myself (on a Google Pixel). The app is full of information about various topics, including what the Commission does and how Bustamante is (he has a personal bio). There is also a link that will take the user to archived videos of Police Commission meetings, as well as information on how to watch or listen to their weekly meetings live. The meetings take place on Tuesdays at 2 p.m.
If you're looking for specific reports, you can tap around and ultimately find yourself reading the "Inspection of Taser and Beanbags Shotgun Deployment" report from September 28, 2016, or the "Review of Suspicious Activity Reports, 2015" from September 7, 2016. Reports are categorized into various sections (including Use of Force, Special Investigations and Compliance, and Audit and Complaint), are listed from most to least recent, and date back to at least the last few years for most sections.
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I did not find any reports pertaining to specific situations, such as the high-profile shootings of Ezell Ford or Brendon Glenn, but there is a lot of general information if you feel like poring over the app for a bit.
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