LA City Council votes to ban pretextual police stops — but will LAPD comply?
Listen: L.A. City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson and recently retired LAPD Lt. Jeff Wenninger talk about the move by city council members.
Topline:
The L.A. City Council voted Wednesday to ban the Los Angeles Police Department’s use of pretextual stops, in which officers detain or pull over a person for a minor offense in order to investigate the them for a more serious crime.
Context: Civil rights activists have long said that pretextual stops disproportionately affect communities of color, an argument that data backs up. In 2022, the Police Commission updated LAPD policy to require officers making a pretextual stop to turn on their body cameras and explain why they plan to pull a car over or stop a pedestrian.
Yes, but: The City Council’s proposal does not immediately change LAPD policy. The Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners, which sets department policies, will ultimately decide if the practice should be banned. LAPD leaders have said in the past that eliminating pretextual stops could diminish the department’s ability to detect illegal activity.
Keep up with LAist.
If you’re enjoying this article, you’ll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.
What’s next: The Police Commission will have to take up the proposal before it advances further.