LAPD union: Ezell Ford ruling places police work in jeopardy

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Police Commission's recent findings on the shooting death of Ezell Ford may place future "proactive" police work in jeopardy, Los Angeles Police Protective League President Craig Lally said.

The union, which represents rank-and-file officers, has received calls that officers plan to pull back their work, Lally said.

"They're very worried about doing police work. It's safer to them -- this is what they're telling me -- to just answer the radio calls, when a citizen calls, and go from call to call to call."

Ford was killed in August 2014 in South Los Angeles after an altercation with LAPD Officers Sharlton Wampler and Antonio Villegas. The two officers involved said Ford attempted to take an officer's pistol.

The shooting sparked outrage among activists, who said the 25-year-old was murdered.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and the Inspector General found the actions of both officers within policy, but the Police Commission, a citizen oversight committee of the LAPD, found that Wampler acted improperly.

Lally says the panel caved in to political pressure from activists.

"They just didn't do the right thing. They got scared," Lally said.

LAPD spokesman Barry Montgomery said even in light of the ruling, officers will continue to do their job as they always have.

"They will be doing so professionally. There's no truth to statements to the contrary," Montgomery said.