Two Councilmen, Official Help Subdue Suspect
Two City Council members and a newly appointed member of the Los Angeles Police Commission were involved in a scuffle early Tuesday with a crime suspect who allegedly tried to take a security guard's gun.
Councilmen Dennis Zine and Greig Smith, both reserve police officers, went on patrol with Commissioner Alan Skobin on Monday night, intending to offer Skobin a tour of police stations in the San Fernando Valley.
Instead, the three responded to a radio call of trouble at Galpin Motors in North Hills, where Skobin is vice president and general counsel. They were drawn into a scuffle that left both elected officials gasping from pepper spray and Smith with "redness to his forehead area," according to a police report.
Skobin is a reserve with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, police officials said.
The suspect, who was charged with attempting to remove an officer's weapon, was transported to a hospital for treatment of scrapes.
Police Chief William J. Bratton said Zine and Smith's actions would be investigated like those of any other officer involved in a use-of-force incident.
"A use-of-force report will be completed and the officers' tactics will be reviewed," Lt. John Pasquariello said.
He added that no action would be taken if their conduct was found in policy, but that any training issues would be addressed in the investigation.
Zine said the suspect, whose name was not released, "had superhuman strength."
"He was yelling incoherently and appeared to be under the influence of some drugs," said Zine, a former longtime LAPD officer.
Smith said the struggle went on for 30 minutes. "What we did is what [the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department] do every day," he said.
The incident began about midnight. Zine said he and Smith, both in LAPD uniforms, were cruising in an LAPD patrol car with Skobin when they heard a radio call about an assault nearby.
Zine, who was driving, whipped the car around and sped to Galpin Motors, where he saw a security guard on the ground struggling with a man. He and Smith ran in and joined the fight, he said. They were joined by two LAPD gang officers, several other LAPD officers and a Los Angeles County probation officer.
"We were happy to save the security guard," Zine said.
Despite staying up until 4 a.m. filling out paperwork pertaining to his use of force, Zine appeared energized by the incident. "It was historical," he said. "We don't just talk public safety. We're walking the walk."
