Suspect Injured during DUI Arrest NR12310bb

Los Angeles:  A man was injured when he attempted to assault a police officer during a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) arrest.

On March 4, 2012 around 10:08 p.m., Central Traffic Division Motorcycle Police Officer Manuel Garza conducted a traffic stop on a bicyclist at 1st Street and Cummings Avenue, for riding without a light and possible DUI.  During the stop, the suspect, later identified as 50-year-old Aaron Montes became agitated, causing Officer Garza to handcuff him. Montes continued his belligerent and aggressive posture and attempted to head-butt and kick Officer Garza.  To control the suspect and to avoid further assault, Officer Garza took Montes to the ground resulting in injury to the suspect.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the location and took Montes to a local hospital where he was admitted for treatment of his injuries.  No officers were injured during the incident and the Department’s Force Investigation Division is conducting a full investigation.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable.