Officers Subdue Man with Mental Illness NR13080df

Los Angeles:  A man with mental illness is arrested after he is involved in a struggle with police.

On February 28, 2013 at about 11:30 a.m., Pacific Area patrol officers responded to a radio call of a “Man with mental illness” in the 7700 block of Henefer Avenue.  The responding supervisor and officers were aware that earlier in the day the suspect had been served with a restraining order to vacate the residence at 7701 Henefer Avenue; a property which belonged to the suspect’s parents.

When the officers arrived they advised the suspect, Richard Frederick Smith that he had 15 minutes to leave the residence or he would be arrested for violating the restraining order.

Eventually officers opted to place Smith under arrest Smith failed to comply with the officers’ commands and a struggle ensued.  During the struggle Smith was struck in the face by officers as they were attempting to gain control of him.  Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics responded and transported Smith to a local hospital where he was treated and cleared for booking at a department jail facility.  No officers were injured during this incident.

The next day, March 1, 2013, Smith was taken to USCMC Jail Ward where he was treated for a hairline fracture to his jaw.

Force Investigation Division is investigating the use of force incident.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Office of the Inspector General, and the 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.  Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.