Report critiques LAPD's use of force, officer-involved shootings policy

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Amid heightened national tension over police use-of-force, a new report examines how the Los Angeles Police Department handles officer-involved shootings and related incidents.

The report from the Office of the Inspector General was discussed during a police commission meeting that was interrupted by loud protests. Some activists have been calling for the firing of LAPD Chief Charlie Beck over how the department has handled officer-involved shootings.

The report looked at use-of-force policies at four other police agencies - Dallas, Las Vegas, San Diego and Washington D.C.

Beck said LAPD has averaged about 45 officer-involved shootings annually over the last 5 years. When taking population into account, that puts Los Angeles in the middle of the other cities.

The report notes that the department's use-of-force policy doesn't specifically reference de-escalation. But officers are trained in techniques such as verbalization, tactical communication, how to de-escalate and how to deal with people with mental illness.

The report also singles out Las Vegas for praise in how quickly it releases evidence to the public, including body camera footage. Typically LAPD takes longer to release such evidence.

Beck said the department may reconsider its policy, but there are complex factors to consider, including the graphic nature of some of the videos.

"The tragedies that occur are horrific," Beck said. "Should that be part of the visual public conversation? I think that's a real issue."