LAPD Chief Defends Police Using Patrol Vehicle Against Rioters

Los Angeles Police Chief Michael Moore on Monday defended the actions of officers who used a police vehicle to push aside rioters who were reportedly threatening them on Sunday in downtown Los Angeles.

According to KTLA-TV , Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore said that the officers were attempting to leave the area and that the occupants of the patrol car considered themselves to be in danger.

Chief Moore said in a Skype interview on Monday, "That unit, in an effort to leave that area, took evasive action and in the course of that, struck an individual or more than one individual and fled that area."

Video of the incident was posted to social media, causing an uproar among some who said that it was an unnecessary use of force against those assembled in the streets.