LAPD Chief: Rodney King Arrest Wouldn't Happen Today
For the 20-year anniversary of the Rodney King incident, POLICE Magazine has prepared several perspectives and collected others that paint a fuller picture of the incident's impact on law enforcement.
The Los Angeles Police Department's Chief Charlie Beck believes reforms that have reshaped the agency's approach to using force in the 20 years since the Rodney King incident make such an incident unlikely today.
Speaking on the 20th anniversary of the arrest that helped spark some of the worst rioting in U.S. history, Chief Beck said the LAPD now provides officers revamped use-of-force training, gets stricter civilain oversight, and has improved relationships with ethnic communities, reports the Associated Press.
On March 3, 1991, bystander George Holliday videotaped nine minutes of King's arrest at the end of a vehicle pursuit initiated by the California Highway Patrol. Four officers were tried and acquitted of the beating, which triggered rioting in Los Angeles in 1992 that resulted in 55 deaths and massive property damage.
For the 20-year anniversary of the Rodney King incident, POLICE Magazine has prepared several perspectives and collected others that paint a fuller picture of the incident's impact on law enforcement.
First, aggregated news items show a greater awareness by officers of citizen video from cellphones and other recording devices, as well as the news that King was stopped by Arcadia police on Wednesday for running a stop sign in Arcadia, Calif.
Also, former LAPD Capt. Greg Meyer, who worked in the agency at the time, gives you his perspective on the lessons agencies can learn from the incident.
POLICE Associate Editor Dean Scoville, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy who was on duty at the time, gives you his reaction to the rioting and tells you what he was doing at the time.
And lastly, Editor David Griffith explains the evolution of the TASER electronic control device, and notes that if the X26 had been available at the time, "the media would never have heard of Rodney King."
Also, we reached into the archives to find gang expert Richard Valdemar's blog post from June 2008, explaining "What Really Happened During the Rodney King Riots."
Enjoy our coverage, and stay safe out there!
Related:
Cops More Aware of Citizen Video, 20 Years After King Arrest
More Patrol

Justice Department Releases $25M in Law Enforcement Grants & Resources
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has just released $25 million in new grant Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) to support law enforcement. The recently released NOFOs include the Safer Outcomes: Enhancing Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement Program and other grant programs.
Read More →
What Makes a Laptop Rugged or Fully Rugged?
What separates a rugged laptop from a fully rugged one? In this video, two Panasonic Connect experts explain the military testing, IP ratings, durability standards, and real-world features that help law enforcement officers rely on their computers in any environment.
Read More →
Avon Technologies Appoints Vasilios Brachos as Team Wendy President
Longtime ballistic helmet leader Vasilios Brachos has been selected to guide the next chapter of protection, innovation, and growth at Team Wendy.
Read More →
Brinc Raises $125M to Put a 911 Response Drone on Every Police and Fire Station Roof
The latest round of funding, $125 million, can help fuel Brinc’s mission to deploy 911-response drones at the 80,000 police and fire stations across the United States.
Read More →
Garmont Tactical Contact Collection: New Duty Boots for Law Enforcement
Choosing the right duty boot can make a significant difference during long shifts. In this video overview, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, introduces the new Contact Collection, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking comfort, traction, and durability.
Read More →
Benchmade Launches Taiga Green Bailout
Benchmade has launched its Taiga Green Bailout, which features an anodized aluminum handle, S90V stainless steel, and Burnt Copper hardware accents.
Read More →
Adept Armor Launches the Nova Titanium Combat Helmet: A Metal Ballistic Helmet at Composite-Helmet Weight
Adept Armor said its new Nova Titanium combat helmet delivers rated 9mm protection at 920 grams all-in, low backface deformation, edge-to-edge coverage, and an indefinite shelf life at roughly a quarter the price of premium polyethylene helmets.
Read More →
5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals
The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.
Read More →
SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade
SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Streamlight Wedge SL
The Streamlight Wedge SL is a high-performance light for inspection or administrative tasks that features USB-C charging and an output up to 500 lumens in a compact package.
Read More →