The Dept. of Justice has stepped in to try and curb a series of
recent officer-involved shootings by the Inglewood Police Dept.

Several unarmed suspects have been killed by police under questionable
circumstances.
    According to reports, the department will probe into "past
procedures and tactics used by Inglewood police officers involving use of
force." The department is already under investigation by the L.A.
Sheriff's Office of Independent Review.
    Last year, there was public outcry over four shooting deaths by
Inglewood officers, within a four-month period. Eleven people have been
shot and killed by police since 2003 "five were unarmed. The Los Angeles
Times investigation showed that "over the last six years, Inglewood police
officers have repeatedly resorted to physical or deadly force against
suspects who were unarmed or accused of minor offenses."
     One man was shot while riding his bike on a sidewalk. In another
case, the "weapon" that police said they believed a suspect reached for
turned out to be a rolled-up T-shirt.
Even some officers have complained about the department's lack of 
training and policy on the use of force. Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks
is said to be cooperating fully with authorities.
     Police brutality has long been an issue in the African American
community. Last week, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35)
said in a statement that it was "a relief to know that the . . .
investigation that I requested has now begun.
. . I have been extremely concerned about the alarming number of
police-involved shootings in Inglewood that resulted in the 2008
deaths of Mr. Michael Byoune on Mother's Day, Mr. Kevin Wicks on
July 21, and Mr. Eddie Felix Franco on August 31."
    She continued: "Considering the relatively small size of the Inglewood
Police Dept., four fatal officer-involved shootings in four months was an
indication to me that something was very wrong."

     Waters submitted three written requests to the former U.S.
Attorney General, Michael B. Mukasey, urging the Dept. of Justice to
investigate department practices of the Inglewood Police Dept. to
determine whether there was a pattern and practice of violations of civil
rights or violations of federal criminal laws.