Collection Guide
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Finding Aid of the Independent Commission on the Los Angeles Police Department records
0229
0229
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Table of contents
Description
The city of Los Angeles became the epicenter of a public relations scandal on March 3, 1991, when an amateur cameraman captured
on video four uniformed LAPD officers beating motorist Rodney G. King. In addition to generating public outrage, the incident
cast a dark shadow over the LAPD and called into question the integrity of the nation's third largest municipal police force.
Subsequently, the ten member Independent Commission on the Los Angeles Police Department was formed to conduct a full and
fair evaluation of all aspects of the LAPD's structure and operations related to the use of force when making arrests. Included
in this collection are the documents that were collected and analyzed by the Commission over the course of its study.
Background
On March 3, 1991, at the end of a high-speed vehicle pursuit, an amateur cameraman captured on video four uniformed LAPD officers
beating motorist Rodney G. King. The incident, which occurred in the presence of a sergeant and a group of other officers,
spurred public outcry and fostered an overwhelming sense of mistrust and disdain toward the LAPD. In response, the Mayor and
the Chief of Police of Los Angeles each formed an independent citizens' commission to conduct a full and fair investigation
into the LAPD's tactics, policies, practices, and procedures, especially those pertaining to the use of force when making
arrests. To avoid overlap the two commissions subsequently merged and formed the Independent Commission on the Los Angeles
Police Department, also referred to as the Christopher Commission.
Extent
48.5 Linear feet
50 boxes
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Availability
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.