This paper summarizes the concerns highlighted in the report of AI’s investigation into alleged police brutality in the Los Angeles area, “United States of America: Torture, ill-treatment and excessive force by police in Los Angeles, California” (AMR 51/76/92, 26 June 1992). The report alleged that officers have for years been guilty of using excessive force, mostly in black and latino neighbourhoods, amounting at times to torture and leading in some cases to serious injuries or death. It describes briefly five cases highlighted in the report, those of Luis Murrales, Scott Mace, Hong Pyo Lee, James Bailey and Hortencio Torres, and AI’s methods of investigation into allegations of brutality. A summary of AI’s recommendations concludes the paper.
