By Emilie St. John
Contributing Writer
INGLEWOOD — There are growing calls from Inglewood residents for the city’s police chief to resign.
The residents are demanding that Inglewood Mayor James Butts ask for the resignation of Police Chief Mark Fronterotta after new details came to light concerning the March 10 death of 37-year-old Bryan Bostic following the release of an autopsy report.
Neither Mayor Butts nor Fronterotta could be reached for comment for this story.
The county medical examiner’s office described many instances where Inglewood officers did not follow established protocols and state laws related to reporting an in-custody death to the medical examiner.
The report also detailed how some of Bostic’s clothing was removed from his body and a breathing intubation tube not being present at the scene of his death when the medical examiner’s office arrived the morning of March 11.
The medical examiner’s office noted it took the Inglewood Police Department nearly nine hours to notify it of Bostic’s death.
According to the family, Bostic had $6,000 in cash on him when he was pulled over for reasons that remain unknown. The family has shared that the city returned Bostic’s property — money and vehicle — after his death.
Bostic’s family has revealed the name of an Inglewood police lieutenant they believe was at the scene of Bostic’s death.
During the June 23 City Council meeting, the family identified the officer as Lt. Landon Poirier. None of the members of the Inglewood City Council corrected the family in their assertion.
In 2012, then officer Landon Poirier was involved in the shooting of a driver who suffered lifelong injuries after he was shot in the head during an early morning traffic stop. The city paid out $4.6 million to the victim the following year.
Years later, Poirier was accused by a citizen of theft when he responded to a shooting call and confiscated marijuana and money without a warrant. The city paid $300,000 to settle that case.
In 2022, a citizen complained that his property was taken by Poirier when he was being booked into custody. No settlement was publicly recorded.
Poirier was ultimately promoted twice, to sergeant and then lieutenant, under Fronterotta.
Inglewood resident Fredrisha Dixon, who is planning to run for mayor in the upcoming November election, says she would call for his resignation if elected.
“I am calling for Fronterotta’s resignation because we are not safe in our own community,” Dixon said. “The chief himself is not being transparent about Bryan’s death when he is not providing answers to the public.”
Longtime Inglewood resident Arturo Martinez, another potential mayoral candidate, is also calling for the resignation of the police chief because of the lack of leadership and transparency.
“Leadership starts from the top and the death of Bryan Bostic has led to community distrust in our police department,” Martinez said. “The fact that Mark Fronterotta did not address the community about his death is alarming. He is a proxy for Butts and there needs to be a clear separation between the police department and City Hall.”
Yolanda Davidson, an Inglewood activist who is working to place term limits for members of the Inglewood City Council, under an initiative next year, also cites the lack of transparency of the police chief as why he should resign.
“The excessive force allegations surrounding Inglewood police officers against citizens is appalling,” Davidson said. “Wesley Ace, a United States veteran, was beaten by officers in December 2021, and is still asking the city to investigate his claims. That is a very serious allegation and it should be fully investigated.
“The people of Inglewood deserve a police department that is truthful, accountable, available, and respectful. All the community is receiving is stonewalling, fake outrage, and forced sympathy.”
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist covering the areas of Carson, Compton, Inglewood and Willowbrook. Send tips to her at emiliesaintjohn@gmail.com.
