By Emilie St. John
Contributing Writer
INGLEWOOD — State Sen. Laura Richardson has come out in support of police officers wearing body cameras after a man died in custody of the Inglewood Police Department last month.
Richardson responded to a request for comment as activists have held demonstrations demanding officers be outfitted with body-worn cameras after the death of 37-year-old Bryan Bostic March 10.
“First, I want to express my condolences to the family,” Richardson said. “Anytime a loved one is no longer in our presence, it is always painful — so I pray that the family, friends and community are comforted.”
Richardson said she typically doesn’t provide comment during an active investigation but provided a statement after she was contacted directly.
“Yes, I support all law enforcement wearing body cameras to document individual and law enforcement engagement and interactions, in order to accurately capture the activity without risk of conjecture, subjective opinions and lapses of memory for all parties involved,” Richardson said.
Inglewood City Councilwoman Gloria Gray has called for a transparent investigation into Bostic’s death.
“As a mother, my heart really goes out to you,” Gray said. “I want you to know that I stand with you in your call for transparency and are seeking answers just as you are.”
She also vowed to get the Bostic family “justice” and a transparent process into the investigation.
“I will do everything in my power to ensure this matter is handled with the openness and urgency that it deserves,” Gray said.
Richardson echoed Councilwoman Gray’s call for a transparent investigation.
“I believe this investigation, and all investigations, must not only be transparent, but thorough, accurate, and timely resolved,” Richardson said.
U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters and Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor, who also represent Inglewood, declined multiple requests for comment on whether they support police officers being outfitted with body cameras.
Inglewood Mayor James Butts said “[body] cameras wouldn’t change the outcome of Bostic’s death” during the March 24 City Council meeting.
According to Butts, Bostic was pulled over during a routine traffic stop at 9:30 p.m. March 10 in the 400 block of East Hillcrest Boulevard and was pronounced dead at the Inglewood Police Station at 10:15 p.m.
Butts described officers calling for assistance from paramedics both during the traffic stop with them declaring Bostic able to be transported to be booked at the police station which is less than a mile away from where the stop occurred.
The mayor also said paramedics were called to the police station after Bostic arrived unresponsive.
The city has provided no details on why Bostic was pulled over only describing him as “attempting to hide something.”
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office, Bostic was pronounced dead by officers and not paramedics.
Activist Najee Ali is standing alongside Bostic’s family in demanding officers be outfitted with body cameras, which may have caught the entirety of the traffic stop and Bostic’s arrival at the police department.
“Inglewood is not safe until all of its officers have body cameras,” Ali said.
Inglewood Police Chief Mark Fronterotta has not released video footage from the police station which would show officers arriving with Bostic and whether he made it out of the patrol car and into the station to be booked.
Mayor Butts has pledged to have officers outfitted with body cameras by the end of the year.
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist covering the areas of Carson, Compton, Inglewood and Willowbrook. Send tips to her at emiliesaintjohn@gmail.com.
