Collection Guide
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Los Angeles
Webster Commission records
0244
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Description
On April 29, 1992, the city of Los Angeles erupted into riots after four LAPD officers accused of beating motorist Rodney
King were acquitted of all criminal charges. The effects were catastrophic; in total, the chaos persisted for six days and
resulted in 58 deaths, 2,383 injuries, and nearly a billion dollars in property damage. The extent of the human and material
losses incurred from the riots, coupled with intense public scrutiny of the LAPD, led the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners
to establish the
Webster Commission to assess law enforcement's performance in connection with the riots. Included in this collection are interviews, article
clippings, broadcasts, reports, emergency operations plans, and internal LAPD documents that were collected and analyzed by
the Commission over the course of its study.
Background
On April 29, 1992, riots erupted in Los Angeles just minutes after four LAPD officers were acquitted by a California jury
in the controversial and highly publicized Rodney King trial. The officers, who were Caucasian and Latino, had been charged
with using excessive force in the apprehension of King, who was African American, after a high-speed automobile chase that
was caught on tape. The riots lasted for six days and resulted in widespread looting, assault, arson, and murder throughout
much of Los Angeles and its suburbs. All-in-all, 58 people died, 2,383 were injured, and close to a billion dollars in property
damage was sustained.
Extent
50 Linear Feet
40 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.
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