City Council committee advances measure to limit LAPD's less-lethal weapons at protests

"The Los Angeles City Council will consider an ordinance that would prevent the LAPD from using crowd control weapons against peaceful protesters and journalists. Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, who represents District 13, is pushing for regulations that would prohibit the Los Angeles Police Department from using "kinetic energy projectiles" or "chemical agents" unless officers are threatened with physical violence. The Public Safety Committee unanimously approved the proposal and forwarded a vote with all council members on Wednesday. The items would be considered by the council in November or December, said Nick Barnes-Batista, a communications director for District 13. The ordinance would also require officers to give clear, audible warnings about safe exit routes during "kettling," when crowds are pushed into designated areas by police."

"After the first iteration of the "No Kings" protest over the summer that saw multiple journalists shot by nonlethal rounds, tear-gassed and detained, news organizations sued the city and Police Department, arguing officers had engaged in "continuing abuse" of members of the media. U.S. District Judge Hernan D. Vera granted a temporary restraining order that restricted LAPD officers from using rubber projectiles, chemical irritants and flash bangs against journalists. Under the court order, officers are allowed to use those weapons "only when the officer reasonably believ"

The Los Angeles City Council will consider an ordinance to prohibit the LAPD from using "kinetic energy projectiles" or "chemical agents" against peaceful protesters and journalists except when officers face physical violence. The Public Safety Committee unanimously approved forwarding the proposal to a full council vote expected in November or December. The ordinance would require officers to give clear, audible warnings about safe exit routes during kettling. Police officials argue officers need discretion to use such weapons during chaotic moments. News organizations sued after the "No Kings" protest, and a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order limiting certain crowd-control weapons against journalists.

Read at Los Angeles Times