Brendon Glenn was unarmed when he was shot in the back by LAPD Officer Clifford Proctor. After reviewing the video of the shooting, LAPD Police Chief Charlie Beck recommended that the district attorney file criminal charges. This is the first time he has made such a recommendation in his career. Yet, so far, he refuses to release the video to the public.

Prosecutors are often unwilling to charge officers in fatal, on-duty shootings, even when evidence says the act was criminal. As we saw in Chicago in the shooting of Laquan McDonald, a teenager who was shot 16 times, an officer was only charged after a video of the shooting was released. It took immense pressure from investigators and the public over a full year to get him charged.

We can’t let that happen again. Chief Beck’s refusal to release the video could influence whether the DA files charges in the case. The family of Brendon Glenn is calling on the LAPD to release the video, and they need the help of people like you to make sure it happens. Please sign the petition urging Police Chief Beck to release the video to the public.  

It has been reported by witnesses, and confirmed by the video, that Brendon was on his stomach and not reaching for the officer’s weapon. Even Officer Proctor’s partner told investigators he didn’t know why Proctor fired his weapon. While the evidence seems clear that criminal charges should be pressed, that may not be the result. LA prosecutors have not charged an LAPD officer for a fatal on-duty shooting in 15 years.

Mayor Eric Garcetti has agreed that charges should be filed, saying “No one is above the law, and whenever use-of-force crosses the line, it is our obligation to make sure that principle is upheld.” If the video has convinced the police chief and the mayor, it seems the public has the right to see what happened. It may be the only way for us to ensure that justice is served.