LAPD barred from using foam rounds during protests under lawsuit agreement

LOS ANGELES () — The Los Angeles Police Department can no longer fire less-lethal foam rounds when confronting protesters.

A federal judge found the department in contempt of a previous ruling limiting the use of 40-millimeter munitions and has now ordered a ban on their use for crowd control.

The less-lethal weapon is often used by law enforcement when dealing with large unruly groups.

“It provides a means or mechanism that police or law enforcement can intervene at a distance and hopefully not cause death or any serious injury,” said Brian Muller, a former sergeant with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.

The ruling follows concerns about the LAPD’s tactics during protests last summer opposing immigration enforcement.

According to the order, numerous people were injured, including several who were shot in the head and groin. The judge wrote that LAPD officers fired at protesters who did not pose an immediate threat, failed to issue warnings before firing and struck protesters in restricted areas of the body.

The ruling stems from a 2020 lawsuit filed by Black Lives Matter, which alleged officers used the weapon indiscriminately against protesters following the murder of George Floyd.

The order likely changes the department’s crowd control strategy.

The LAPD has not commented on the order. The L.A. City’s Attorney’s Office says it will conduct a review.