Michelle Jordan's Videotaped Slamfest by LAPD Prompts Demotion For Capt. Joseph Hiltner

By Dennis Romero Thu., Aug. 30 2012 at 6:01 AM

NBC4 / Facebook

Michelle Jordan.

See also:
*Michelle Jordan: LAPD Take-Down of Woman in Foothill Area Caught on Video.

The videotaped LAPD slam-fest against 34-year-old Michelle Jordan in a Del Taco parking lot near Tujunga appears to have cost an LAPD division commander a demotion.

The episode seems to have really pissed off L.A.'s top cop, Charlie Beck, who announced last night that Foothill Division Capt. Joseph Hiltner is off that particular job and will now face a possible job downgrade because he allegedly didn't put the two officers involved on desk duty.

In fact, Beck said that Hiltner also ...

... failed to notify the proper authorities, ostensibly higher-ups.

Beck:

I have serious concerns about this incident and I believe the Commanding Officer of Foothill Area was severely deficient in his response. Proper steps were not taken, including appropriate notifications and the removal of the involved officers from the field. Because of these issues, I have removed him from his command and initiated downgrade procedures. Every Los Angeles Police Officer, regardless of rank, will be held accountable for their actions.

Ouch. Beck seems like a stand-up guy who has been buffeted by a double blow of cops caught on tape using force this summer (not to mention some bad press over a confrontation with people drawing in chalk on sidewalks downtown).

Perhaps Hiltner who, ironically or not, was a top dog at the Pacific Division that patrols Venice, is a victim of bad timing:

LAPD

Hiltner.

On Aug. 18 police in Venice were caught on tape piling on an African American college student who didn't stop after he was told to have a chat regarding skateboarding on the wrong side of the street.

One of the officers is seen punching Ronald Weekley, Jr. in the face as he's on the ground outside his apartment.

As he lawyered up, the 20-year-old claimed some serious injuries -- claims that have been discounted by some critics. But the video was politically damaging, and Beck expressed concern.

Then Jordan happened.

She was pulled over by Foothill officers just three days later for allegedly using a cell phone behind the wheel without a hands-free device.

The nurse admits that she mouthed off to the officers. The video shows her being slammed against the patrol car and then again against the ground, apparently as she's wearing handcuffs. Then there's a fist bump. Score.

For this one both cops were taken off active duty. Beck last night said one was sent home.

A full-blown investigation, including a criminal inquiry, was underway.

Beck has been smart to get ahead of this. Summer still has some life left. People get angry over this sort of thing.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Tags:

beating, Charlie Beck, Foothill Division, LAPD, Michelle Jordan, Tujunga, video

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Mexico1982

so quick to make decision regarding these officer's action or inaction. i want to know what any person would do if someone tries to bite you?

LALisaLA

Beck and all of LAPD should be angry and Hiltner should be the first of several to roll right out of the Valley. Things are out of control not only at Foothill but at Topanga and several other stations in the Valley too and it all points to the guy at the top, George Villegas who's been busy covering his you-know-what up all week. Time for a change Chief. This is trickle down incompetence. Starts at the top. Time to clean house.

rabbipedro

Why is Charlie Beck so pissed off? I think he's banging that hood-rat bitch. She totally had it coming. Beck SHOULD have used the video as a PSA warning people not to mouth off to the police. what happened to the late, great LAPD?

abramsrl

@rabbipedro The late great LAPD was on parole for criminal behavior for about decade and it had to make periodic reports to its federal parole officer, called a Monitor.

The LAPD that emerged is noticeably better, but I only interact with the Hollywood Division. Thus, my current knowledge level is limited, but I have had considerable experience with the LAPD before the Consent Decree.

There are a host of problems besetting the LAPD:

(1) The City Council is corrupt and whenever the top of an organization is corrupt the bad influence shows up at the lower levels. One way this can occur is the lack of funds are making the LAPD a less desirable place to work. Their equipment is antiquated and their forces are spread too thin. That places more stress on officers; we have no Robocops; we have human beings who re-act to stress like the human beings they are

(2) As Angelenos continue their myopic attacks on Unions, they deter the more qualified people from even applying to work in Los Angeles. What person wants to go work for a City which slashes the LAFD budget by $ 200 Million and refuses to upgrade the LAPD?

(3) Not known to about 99% of the people, the LAPD was not the ring leader of the Ramparts Scandal. The ring leaders were superior court judges who wanted convictions to make their records look good to the law and order fools who promote judges. LAPD officers were expected to lie. Mark Fuhrman told the truth when he said, "All good cops, lie, cheat and set people up." No one believed him. Then Officer Perez, one of the darlings of the law and order judges, got greedy and he was caught stealing too much from the Ramparts Evidence locker.

Had an LAPD officer known that he could go into court and testify truthfully without recrimination, then we might have avoided the Consent Decree with the US Dept of Justice. Officers, however, were required to lie -- the judges wanted a good conviction rate in order to get their promotions. When corruption is imposed from the top down, as it is in Los Angeles, it is very hard for the rank and file.

Beck is doing the right thing -- an appearance of impropriety requires swift action and then a complete investigation. The officers may have been operating legitimately -- that's why we need prompt action. Whichever way it goes, we need to know the truth.

charlie_oscar

What really freaks me out is how all these normal folks out there...A student skateboardind dude, a registered nurse and a banker - ALL go hard and try to grab these officer's gun belts! I mean gawddam the pusher man! People are just so unpredictable now-a-days!

tituspullojr

1 Like

This is standard operating procedure for the LAPD, which is mostly comprised of "men" with deep feelings of sexual inadequacy.

fredquarters1

1 Like

Ms. Jordan never saw Chris Rock's educational video "How not to get your 'butt' kicked by the Po-lice" Our tort system will give out an exorbitant award for this one. Score one for Michell, one for the lawyers, zero for the taxpaying public.