Senator Sets Hearing on Conduct of L.B. Police

LONG BEACH —  Alarmed by a recent videotaped incident of alleged police brutality, the chairman of a state Senate oversight committee plans to hold a one-day hearing next month in Long Beach to review allegations of police misconduct.

The Senate Select Committee on State Procurement and Expenditure Practices will show videotapes and question witnesses regarding the arrest of activist Don Jackson, said the chairman, state Sen. Daniel Boatwright (D-Concord).

Jackson, a Hawthorne police sergeant, is a self-styled crusader against officer misconduct. He drove through Long Beach with another black man last month in a “sting” operation aimed at demonstrating his belief that some Long Beach officers are racist and employ brutal tactics.

A crew from NBC’s “Today” show recorded the incident using a camera and microphone hidden in the car in which Jackson was riding. Additional footage was shot from cameras in a second vehicle.

During a confrontation after police stopped Jackson’s car for an alleged driving infraction, Officer Mark Dickey, who is white, allegedly threw Jackson against a storefront window, causing the glass to shatter. Dickey then filed a report on the incident, which included statements accusing Jackson of striking his arm against the window.

FBI agents, the Los Angeles County district attorney and Long Beach police officials are investigating. Jackson was charged with interfering with or obstructing a police officer and Dickey was temporarily reassigned to the detective division pending the outcome of the investigations.

“Everyone up here (in Sacramento) was absolutely amazed and shocked” at Dickey’s conduct as seen on the secretly recorded videotapes of Jackson’s Jan. 14 arrest, Boatwright said. The tapes were broadcast repeatedly on local and national television.

As a result of the incident and of past allegations of officer misconduct, Boatwright said, “I would be afraid to live in Long Beach and call them (police) to my home.”

The legislative committee monitors state funds disbursed to police departments by the state Police Officer Standards and Training Commission. Boatwright said he wants to review those procedures to ensure that officers are being trained to conduct themselves properly when they detain people and to exercise racial sensitivity.

The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on March 3 in the board room of the Port of Long Beach Administration Building. A list of witnesses is being prepared and a time limit will be placed on those who testify, a Boatwright spokeswoman said.

Besides Boatwright, members of the committee include Sens. Bill Greene (D-Los Angeles), Ruben Ayala (D-Chino), James Nielsen (R-Rohnert Park) and Bill Leonard (R-Big Bear).

A Long Beach police spokesman said the department would cooperate with Boatwright. “We’re trying to find out what his agenda is so we can assist in any way,” said Sgt. Bob Gillissie, an aide to Police Chief Lawrence L. Binkley.

Michael Hannon, attorney for the Long Beach Police Officers Assn., said he has confidence that the committee members will validate local police procedures.

“I think they will not find anything wrong with the training standards in Long Beach. Let them investigate until the cows come home,” Hannon said.

Boatwright said the committee will issue a subpoena to NBC for all of the videotapes already broadcast that show the Jackson incident.

Based on what he saw on the videotape, Boatwright said he does not believe the officers’ contention that the Jackson car was weaving within the lane and that they had probable cause to make the traffic stop.

Unless there was a traffic offense, “it was an unlawful stop and everything that occurred afterward was illegal,” Boatwright said.