Security Footage Prompts Review of LAPD Procedures

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officials released security camera footage involving officers and a man named Jose Carlos Hoyos-Munoz, raising concerns about police actions. Hoyos-Munoz, 58, died after being restrained in a San Fernando Valley jail cell. This incident, along with a separate police shooting, has led Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to seek an independent review of police interactions with individuals in mental distress.

Incident Details

The footage captured officers at Van Nuys Regional Jail using force on Hoyos-Munoz after he was uncooperative and spat on them. Officers repeatedly confronted him after observing erratic behavior in his cell. While restrained, he was hit several times. The officers placed a hood over his head following the spitting incident and left him prone with his hands cuffed behind his back. Later, officers found him unconscious and not breathing; he was pronounced dead on the scene.

Mayor’s Response

Mayor Bass described the footage as difficult to watch and highlighted existing issues due to limited community-based mental health services. She emphasized that LAPD officers lack training for mental health crises and referred to the deaths of Hoyos-Munoz and Alejandro Luis Garcia as examples of the tragic consequences when crisis intervention fails.

Mayor Bass has announced an executive order for an independent review of officer-involved deaths and major injuries. This evaluation will focus on strengthening policies, improving training, and ensuring safety for both the public and officers.

Background and Investigation

Hoyos-Munoz’s detention resulted from a call on July 13 from his family’s home, where he had allegedly injured relatives. SWAT officers arrested Hoyos-Munoz after using tear gas to enter the property. After medical evaluation, he was taken to the Valley jail. Video footage showed him calm upon arrival.

Detention officers restrained Hoyos-Munoz for safety, using force multiple times. Even after Hoyos-Munoz seemed immobile, officers noted he appeared to breathe and show signs of life for around 20 minutes before finding him unresponsive.

The Medical Examiner has delayed determining the cause of death. Along with the LAPD’s internal investigation, the state’s In-Custody Death Review Division will investigate the incident.

Shooting Incident

Separately, a video released captures the events before the shooting of Alejandro Garcia, 33. Police responded to reports of Garcia smashing car windows with a baseball bat. Officers confronted Garcia, who crossed traffic under the 10 Freeway. Despite orders to drop the bat, Garcia continued toward them, causing officers to fire. The video challenges earlier police statements, which claimed Garcia was swinging the bat at the time of the shooting. The identities of the officers involved remain undisclosed.