Incident

Police investigate an incident in Los Angeles on Friday, January 6, 2012.

Sandy Fleming #occupyLA (079)

Five police officers on bikes wait behind protester Sandy Fleming during an "Occupy Los Angeles" protest on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 17, 2011.

Arrest on Broadway #occupyLA (074)

A man is arrested during an "Occupy Los Angeles" protest on Broadway in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

No Badge Number #occupyLA (073)

A woman waits as Lt. Belthius writes information on a business card for her during an "Occupy Los Angeles" protest in front of the Police Department in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 3, 2011. The woman claimed bike officer Cardenas "put his hands on" her. Officer Cardenas had no badge number visible, with a black area where the badge number was visible on other officers' uniforms.

Forty-Seven #occupyLA (065)

L.A.P.D. Commander Andrew J. Smith, Commanding Officer, Public Information Office, explains to an interviewer that 47 arrests were made at the Bank of America Plaza during the "Occupy Los Angeles" protest in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 17, 2011.

Chief Charlie Beck #occupyLA (064)

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck speaks with the media during an "Occupy Los Angeles" protest at Bank of America Plaza in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 17, 2011.

Broadway and 4th #occupyLA (063)

Police officers form a line along Broadway during an "Occupy Los Angeles" protest march in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 17, 2011.

On A Side #occupyLA (061)

A protester holds a sign and sits on the opposite side of the street from a protest at Bank of America during the "Occupy Los Angeles" event in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 17, 2011. She explained she had been pushed to the ground by an officer shortly before.

At the Line #occupyLA (060)

L.A.P.D. officer Gutierrez pushes a protester during the "Occupy Los Angeles" protest at Bank of America Plaza in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 17, 2011.

(Photographer's note: I have been photographing "Occupy Los Angeles" events since the first day, and I have been generally impressed with the L.A.P.D.'s handling of the protests. I have heard accounts that are less positive than my impression, and I leave it to others to document those cases. In the case photographed above, however, I think it is important to make two notes: 1. The protester was not purposefully crossing a police line. He did not seem aware the staircase was not open, so his movement did not appear to be a purposeful challenge, but he did clearly move over the line the police were enforcing. There was inconsistency, however: several other people were allowed onto the stairs before and after the incident 2. The response was with open hands rather than batons and seemed appropriate. The protester was pushed hard, but I did not see any escalation after he was moved backward.)

South Broadway #occupyLA (059)

A protester holds a sign during an "Occupy Los Angeles" protest on South Broadway in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 17, 2011.

Announcement #occupyLA (058)

L.A.P.D. officer Perez announces that protesters remaining in the planter area at Bank of America Plaza will be arrested during an Occupy Los Angeles event in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 17, 2011.

Lines #occupyLA (057)

Members of the Service Employees International Union United Service Workers West stand near L.A.P.D. officers during a protest at Bank of America Plaza in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 17, 2011.

Arrest #occupyLA (056)

L.A.P.D. officers arrest a protester during the "Occupy Los Angeles" protest at Bank of America Plaza in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 17, 2011. Forty-seven arrests were made at the event.

Cameras and Signs #occupyLA (053)

Protesters, police, and photographers face each other peacefully at a Bank of America branch during the "Bank Transfer Day" march in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 5, 2011.

Pink Chalk #occupyLA (049)

A protester writes "IM W/ PIGGY" in pink chalk in front of a line of LAPD officers and private security "District Safety officers" during the "Bank Transfer Day" march on 1st Street in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 5, 2011.

Grand Avenue #occupyLA (029)

Private security "District Safety officers" watch protesters pass during "Occupy Los Angeles" on Grand Avenue in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 15, 2011.

Traffic #occupyLA (028)

Private security "District Safety" officers and L.A.P.D. officers control traffic during "Occupy Los Angeles" at Broadway and 1st Street in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 15, 2011.

Smith & Wesson #occupyLA (016)

Two District Safety officers on Smith & Wesson bikes wait near a protester at the "Occupy Los Angeles" event near City Hall in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 15, 2011.

Gone in 60 Seconds (Give or Take)

A tow truck driver uses a lockout tool to unlock the door of a car while a security guard watches in Los Angeles, Wednesday, August 31, 2011. The car was towed for illegally parking.