Full Notification

Sheriff’s Department Statement Regarding the Use of Force Investigation at Union Station on May 17, 2017

On May 17, 2017, at approximately 11:15 p.m., deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Transit Policing Division, assigned to Union Station, were summoned by members of the Allied Universal Security, a private security team, to assist them with a woman who was seated in an area of Union Station reserved for ticketed passengers only.  Allied Universal Security Guards had requested that the woman leave the area after informing her it was reserved for ticketed passengers only.  After approximately 17 minutes of negotiating with her, and her continued refusal to move from the area, the guards radioed for the transit policing deputies to assist. 

As the deputies contacted the seated female, they requested her valid ticket to confirm if she was allowed to be seated in the restricted passenger area.  She refused to provide or produce a ticket which would have allowed her to remain in the area.  During their contact, the suspect refused several orders by the deputies to stand and leave the area, even after deputies attempted to assist her in standing.  At one point, as seen on the cell phone video, the suspect leaned forward toward the groin area of one of the deputies, and bit him on his gloved hand. That deputy pushed her away to stop her from biting him again, and attempted to subdue her in the chair, stop her assaultive actions, and now arrest her.  During the attempt to subdue and handcuff the suspect, she bit the second deputy on his left wrist.  Both deputies were ultimately able to handcuff her and she was arrested for trespassing and assault.   

Due to the application of force to effect the arrest, the suspect was transported to the hospital for medical examination and approval for booking.  She was subsequently transported and booked at the Century Regional Detention Facility.  She was released after booking, but elected to remain in custody until she could make arrangements for transportation.  She was released from Custody at approximately 7:00 a.m. on Friday, May 19, 2017.
 
The deputies were examined by Los Angeles City paramedics at the scene and were then taken to a local medical facility for follow up evaluation.  They were both treated for visible bite marks and bruising.  As per Department policy, the deputies immediately reported their use of force in this incident to the on duty supervisors and a force investigation was immediately initiated. 
 
As with any use of force investigation, witnesses to the application of force are being identified and their statements documented through a detailed review of the complete incident.  The LASD is also aware that part of the incident was recorded on video.  Personnel from LASD have interviewed the person who recorded the video.  Her statements and the video will also become part of the investigation.  Anyone else who witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
 
The Sheriff’s Department is aware of the public and media interest surrounding the video footage and the fact it captured portions of the incident that resulted in the use of force.  We would like to assure the public that the video, and any other evidence obtained, will become part of detailed administrative investigative process and will be thoroughly reviewed, along with the other facts of the incident, at all levels to determine exactly what occurred.     
 
If you want to report crime or a law enforcement issue while riding Metro or Metrolink, please call the LASD Transit Policing Division at (888) 950-SAFE (7233), or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 MOBILE APP” on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
 
For information regarding how to ride Metro including fares, schedules, station information and locations, you can call (323) GO METRO (466-3876), or go to http://www.metro.net/  For Metrolink train information, please call (800) 371-LINK (5465), or go to the Metrolink website http://www.metrolinktrains.com/
 
Please remember, if you SEE SOMETHING that you believe is suspicious or doesn’t look right to you, SAY SOMETHING by calling: (888) 950-SAFE (7233), or your local police department. You can also use the Transit Watch LA App, to report crime or advise of something or someone suspicious on the transit system. The App can be downloaded at the Apple App Store, or on Google Play for Android Devices. http://transitwatchla.org/ (remember though, calling is always best!!)
 
To receive detailed, up-to-date information directly from the LASD via e-mail, register for "Nixle" alerts at www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD-Transit Policing Division HQ, Los Angeles County Sheriff" and also register for your local LASD station area. Or, text “LASD Transit HQ” to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply, depending on your calling plan.
 
 
24 Hr.: (888) 950-SAFE (7233)
Email: [email protected]
Transit Watch LA website:  http://www.transitwatchla.org/
LASD website: www.lasd.org
Twitter: @TransitLASD http://twitter.com/TransitLASD
Facebook LASD Metro Transit Services: http://www.facebook.com/LASDMetroTransitServices
Instagram LASD Transit Photos: http://www.instagram.com/LASDTransitPIO
Periscope LASD Transit PIO: http://www.periscope.com/LASDTransitPIO
Snapchat: LASDTRANSITPIO
 
Address/Location
LASD - Transit Policing Division, Los Angeles County Sheriff
One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop: 99-PL-15
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: (888) 950-SAFE (7233)
 
Forwarded by:
 
Sheriff's Information Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(323)-267-4800
Website: http://www.lasd.org
Follow us at: Text and Emails, LASD HQ: http://www.Nixle.com
http://nixle.com/lasd----hq-newsroom-shb-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Twitter: @LASDHQ http://twitter.com/LASDHQ 
Twitter: @LASDvideos https://twitter.com/LASDvideos
Twitter: @LASDespanol https://twitter.com/LASDespanol
Facebook LASD HQ: http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
Instagram LASD Photos: http://instagram.com/LASDHQ
Pinterest LASD Photos : http://pinterest.com/lacountysheriff/
YouTube LASD Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/LACountySheriff/videos?view=0
Alert LA County: Telephone emergency mass notification system
http://www.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla
SNAP LA County: Specific Needs Disaster Voluntary Registry http://snap.lacounty.gov/
 
 
Text & Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive more detailed, up-to-date information via E-MAIL and/or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD – Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff" AND your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text your zip code to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.

"If You See Something, Say Something"
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 MOBILE APP” on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department