Los Angeles police officer Frank Hernandez, 51, pleaded no contest Thursday for an on-duty assault of a 28-year-old man two years ago, officials stated.
“Wearing a badge does not give an officer the right to use unreasonable and excessive force. When this happens, it erodes trust in the community and can impact our collective safety,” District Attorney Georger Gascón said. “My office will continue to hold officers accountable when they break the law.”
Hernandez entered his plea to one felony count of assault under color of authority. He was immediately sentenced to probation for two years, 80 hours of community service, and one year of anger management classes.
On April 27, 2020, Hernandez and his partner responded to a call of a trespasser in a vacant lot in Boyle Heights.
During a confrontation between police and the victim, Hernandez illegally punched the unarmed man more than a dozen times in the head, neck, and body.
MAY 2020 News Report
Hernandez has been involved in not one, not two, but three shootings on the job, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the first shooting occurred in 1999 when Hernandez shot a robbery suspect.