CHP officers clearing a pro-Palestine protest appeared to aim their weapons and fire less-lethal munitions into crowds.
Get the news that matters to all Californians. Start every week informed.A CalMatters review documented at least 25 instances in which officers appeared to aim their weapons at the eye-level of pro-Palestinian protesters or fired them into crowds.As California Highway Patrol officers in riot gear dispersed pro-Palestinian protests at UCLA on May 2, they regularly aimed or fired their less-lethal weapons at protesters in ways that appear to go against training guidelines or state law.
Law enforcement officers across the state are trained that these types of munitions “shall not be aimed at the head, neck or any other vital organs,” according to guidelines from California Commission on Peace of Officers and Standards Training. “We do not train to point at people’s heads unless it’s a deadly force situation,” said Travis Norton, a retired police lieutenant who developed a course on the use of less-lethal weapons for the commission.
Former police officers with expertise in handling protests were troubled by some of the CHP officers’ behavior. Jeff Winneger, who oversaw investigations into officer-involved shootings and significant use of force incidents at the Los Angeles Police Department, said overall law enforcement handled the protests in a measured way, but said he was “shocked” by the actions of this masked officer, who fired a number of bean bag rounds in succession into a crowd.
Norton said hiding your face is not standard procedure. He assumed there must be a legitimate reason since the officer’s supervisors were on site. “I don’t know why he’s wearing it,” he said. “We don’t wear a balaclava unless it’s freezing cold outside. It’s the perception. We have to maintain legitimacy with our communities.” CHP refused to explain why an officer was wearing a balaclava.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pro-Palestine UCLA protesters rally after USC mass protestUCLA and USC are now part of a growing list of U.S. college campuses that have seen encampments and protests over the Israel-Hamas war.
Read more »
Pro-Palestine protesters set up encampment on UCLA campusSeveral pro-Palestine protesters were seen setting up an encampment on the campus of UCLA in front of Royce Hall Thursday morning.
Read more »
Pro-Palestine protesters set up encampment at UCLAProtesters set up an encampment on the UCLA campus Thursday morning in solidarity with other pro-Palestine demonstrations at universities across the U.S.
Read more »
WATCH: Activists Assault Breitbart News Journalist at UCLA ‘Palestine Solidarity Encampment’Source of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »
UCLA protests, Day 2: Inside look at fenced-in pro-Palestine demonstrationsFriday marked Day 2 of the protests happening on UCLA's campus. Pro-Israel supporters were seen blasting music outside the perimeter of the pro-Palestine demonstration.
Read more »
Dueling pro-Palestine and counter protests planned at UCLA campusDueling demonstrations are set at UCLA on Sunday by outside groups planning to show support for a growing encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters on the campus…
Read more »