LAPD looking to reduce officer-involved shootings

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Police Department has already taken some steps to reduce the use of deadly force in recent months, but a new report is calling for even more measures to lower the number of fatal incidents.

The report requested by the Los Angeles Police Commission makes a dozen recommendations that emphasize ways officers can use restraint and defuse situations before they get to the point where lethal force is necessary.

It also recommends additional discipline for officers who fail to follow such steps.

"It's really to make sure that the concept of de-escalation is embedded throughout all aspects of the department," said Police Commission head Matt Johnson.

Johnson noted that in the 38 officer-involved shootings last year in Los Angeles, a disproportionate number of people shot were African-American, homeless, mentally ill or on drugs.

But the head of the Los Angeles Police Protective League said additional restrictions and penalties may well prevent officers from making the instant decisions that can save their lives.

"It may very well compromise their safety," said LAPPL head Craig Lally. "The mere fact that they're going to be second-guessed and Monday-morning-quarterbacked after an incident. Most use-of-force situations happen in a split second."