Decision Made By District Attorney’s Office Regarding Officer Involved Shooting

Los Angeles: Earlier today the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that “there is insufficient evidence of criminal wrongdoing by Officer Steven Garcia to justify filing criminal charges” in the death of Devin Brown.
On Sunday, February 6, 2005, just before 4:00 a.m., Los Angeles Police officers were involved in a short pursuit of what they believed was a drunk driver and turned out to be a stolen vehicle.  The pursuit ended at Western Avenue and 83rd Street when the driver, 13 year-old Devin Brown, accelerated backwards and collided with a police car.  An officer involved shooting occurred and Brown was struck and killed by gunfire. 
As in every officer involved shooting, Force Investigation Division conducts the Department’s investigation, with the Office of the Inspector General monitoring all aspects of the investigation.
As per Los Angeles City protocol, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office conducted their own parallel criminal investigation.
Now that the District Attorney has made his decision, the Department’s Administrative Review of the officers’ actions will go to the Department’s Use of Force  (UOF) Review Board.  Once the UOF Review Board makes its decision, it will be forwarded to the Chief of Police for his consideration. The Chief of Police will review the recommendation, make his own determination and then forward it to the Police Commission sometime in early 2006.  It is the Departments’ intention to complete this process as quickly as possible.
Pending the completion of the Department’s Administrative Review, Officer Garcia who has 9 years with the Department is assigned to a non-patrol function.