The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating a complaint after several of its officers were seen in photos circulating on social media from a protest against vaccination mandates Monday outside City Hall.
The LAPD officers’ attendance at the rally drew further criticism and scrutiny because the uniformed patrolmen were spotted in a location that falls under the County Sheriff’s jurisdiction – Grand Park.
One of the officers seen in the photos appears to be holding rally signs, prompting some to question if the officers were there on official duty or there as participants.
The department launched an investigation after a personnel complaint had been filed, Officer Rosario Cervantes confirmed Tuesday to KNX.
Speaking to reporters about the allegations, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said Tuesday that only off-duty officers out of uniform, and not representing LAPD, are allowed to take part in any protests.
“That would be a misconduct investigation and we’ll investigate it and determine what actions [they] actually took,” Moore said. “If the investigation supports that [they] actually engaged in a political demonstration in an on-duty capacity then [they] will be subject to discipline.
The rally held Monday was against a mandate that all city employees must be vaccinated against COVID, have a valid exemption or face losing their jobs. It took place the same day the city of L.A.’s strict vaccine mandate went into effect for many businesses - which now requires people to provide proof of vaccination to enter indoor facilities.
Thousands of people descended upon City Hall, chanting “we will not comply” and carrying signs criticizing the city’s rules.
The images shared on twitter drew anger from the People's City Council LA, a racial and police reform advocacy group.
Officer Cervantes said that officers from LAPD’s Special Events Unit and public information officers are “regularly assigned to special events and protests” and do so in uniform.
Moore seconded those claims, saying officers on Monday were staging close by just in case violence broke out nearby or in the protest. Neither Moore nor Cervantes, the department spokesperson would, comment on the veracity of the photos shared online.
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