Richard Garcia was a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). ^[7]

In October 2014, Officer Richard Garcia assaulted Clinton Alford Jr an unarmed black male, kneeing, kicking, and punching him in the head after he had surrendered was on the ground, had been handcuffed, and shot with a taser. Clinton was beat so badly that he lost consciousness. ^{[1] [2]}

Clinton said he was tased in his back “until I flopped like a dead fish,” and “I felt that I was going to die.”

^[2]

Clinton had said the first officer who grabbed his bike to arrest him was undercover and had failed to identify themselves which is why he did not stop immediately.

^[0]

The beating took place at the intersection of Avalon Blvd.

and 55th Street in October 2014 in South Los Angeles formerly known as South Central Los Angeles. ^[7]

Officer Richard Garcia was originally charged with felony assault and faced up to three years in jail. In 2016 prosecutors agreed to a deal where he would enter into a plea deal reducing the charge to a misdemeanor. His punishment was significantly less as he only received 2 years of probation, community service, and a $500 charitable donation. ^[7]

Some believe that Clinton Alford Jr being in custody and facing charges including pimping, rape and assault with a deadly weapon, influenced the judge to give Officer Richard Garcia such a light sentence.

^[7]

On August 22, 2016 video of the beating was released.

LAPD officials had condemned Officer Richard Garcia's excessive use of force but refused to release the video until a L.A. County Superior Court judge forced them to release the video. ^[7]

Four officers arrested Clinton Alford Jr after they thought he matched the description of a suspect in a robbery.

However the other officers moved away while Officer Richard took the lead and excessively beat Clinton.

He only stopped beating Clinton after the other arresting officers picked Clinton up and put him in the back of a squad car.

^[7]

Video of the beating was captured by security cameras at a nearby factory.

Citlali Alvarado who worked at the factory saw the beating and said “I didn’t think it was a proper action,” she said.

“The victim was already held down.”

^[7]

Citali said that officers came to the factory and asked her if there was video of the incident.

After she showed them the video the officers laughed.

Officer Richard Garcia came later to see if there was video and recorded it with his cellphone according to Citali.

^[7]