LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell on Military Deployment During Anti-ICE Protests

Joint Press Conference on Military Deployment

• 📌 LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and LA Mayor Karen Bass held a joint press conference to discuss the deployment of military forces in response to anti-ICE protests.
• ⚡ The LAPD has mobilized internally, leading to approximately 400 additional officers being deployed to the field.

Concerns Regarding Federal Mobilization

• ⚠️ Chief McDonnell expressed concern about the federal mobilization, including the potential involvement of the National Guard and Marines.
• 🧩 He outlined a multi-tiered approach for resource requests: LAPD handles street issues, mutual aid from other agencies is sought if needed, and the National Guard is requested from the governor only as a last resort.
• 🎯 The federal government has federalized the National Guard to support ICE operations, and Marines were deployed to protect federal employees and property.

Impact on Street Dynamics

• 💬 The presence of military forces has heightened awareness and anxiety among the public, though quantifying the exact impact is difficult.

Crowd Control and Use of Force

• 🛡️ The LAPD employs training and specific equipment to minimize the use of less-lethal weapons, acknowledging that target-specific munitions may not always hit the intended target in dynamic situations.
• 🔍 The department is investigating incidents involving a member of the media being hit and a person on horseback being trampled.
• ➡️ Tactics aim to disperse crowds away from threats, particularly individuals assaulting officers with projectiles like rocks, bottles, or concrete.
• ⚖️ Arrests are made for aggressors, with some identifications made for later arrest.
• 🚫 The approach avoids moving crowds into areas that would cause additional problems, such as the civic center or freeways, aiming instead to move them where they can do the least damage.

Damage and Looting

• 📉 At least three businesses were broken into and looted along Broadway.
• ❓ There is no awareness of the National Guard deploying tear gas or engaging with protesters outside the federal building.
• 💥 The civic center experienced significant damage, including to headquarters.