LAPD says no officers fired for May Day melee

[July 01, 2009]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Police officials in Los Angeles say none of the officers who pummeled demonstrators with batons and fired rubber bullets during a pro-immigration rally will be fired.

Police Chief William Bratton had asked for the firing of four officers. But he said Tuesday that the stiffest penalty imposed by a department disciplinary board was a 20-day suspension for one officer. The chief does not have the authority to remove an officer. Attorney Luis Carillo, who represents 40 demonstrators who sued the city over the May Day melee in 2007, calls the decision a "slap on the wrist." The melee in MacArthur Park has cost the city $13 million in legal settlements. Forty-two people were injured, including nine journalists. ___ Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/ [Associated Press] Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.