The 2009 firing of former LAPD officer Christopher Dorner, who allegedly went on a vengeance-fueled killing spree in February that included the deaths of two lawmen with ties to Redlands, Yucaipa and Beaumont, was "not only appropriate, it was the only course" justified, Los Angeles police officials said Friday.
"After a review of all the evidence relating to the use of force and the allegations of Christopher Dorner, it has been determined that terminating him from the Department was not only appropriate, it was the only course the Department could have taken based on the facts and evidence," LAPD officials said in their conclusion of a 22-page review of Dorner's firing dated June 17, 2013.
Police said Dorner lied repeatedly to advance a "personal agenda" during his time with the LAPD and deserved to be thrown out of the department, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday afternoon.
In February this year, authorities believe Dorner killed four people in 10 days: Monica Quan, the daughter of a retired LAPD captain, Quan's fiance, Keith Lawrence, Riverside police Officer Michael Crain, and San Bernardino County sheriff's Detective Jeremiah MacKay.
The intro of the 22-page report states:
"On February 3, 2013, a killing spree began in Southern California. It started with what initially appeared to be the random murders of two young adults; one being the daughter of a retired Los Angeles Police Department Captain, the other the daughter's fiancé. The murders became national news as a 'manifesto' written by a terminated LAPD officer, Christopher Dorner, became public knowledge via Facebook. A six-day manhunt for Dorner ensued throughout Southern California, involving numerous law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations and United States Marshals.
"During the pursuit, Dorner engaged in a gun battle with LAPD officers, wounding one; killed one Riverside Police officer and wounded another; tied up two individuals in the San Bernardino mountains; and ultimately engaged in a shootout with San Bernardino Sheriff deputies, killing one and wounding another, before taking his own life. Dorner's justification for committing murder was to 'reclaim his name' because he believed he had been wrongfully terminated for telling the truth.
"The thought that any individual would cause such mayhem in the name of 'clearing their name' was difficult for most to comprehend. However, some expressed their belief that Dorner was stating some truths, and that the LAPD was still a racist organization that punished anyone who tried to bring forth its faults.
"The Chief of Police, recognizing the belief exists that the LAPD has not changed, directed a complete review of Dorner's termination case to identify any potential problems or injustices, as well as a review of allegations Dorner made in his manifesto.
"Over the course of the review and in the preparation of this report, thousands of pages of testimony, reports and investigations were reviewed and analyzed."
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck ordered the review of Dorner's 2009 firing to address claims Dorner made about the department in the manifesto he posted online, in which he described a department rife with racism and corruption, The Times reported.
To read Patch coverage of the Dorner manhunt, final shootout east of Angelus Oaks, and two slain law enforcement officers with local ties, click the following links:
Patch Exclusive: Photos of Shot-up Riverside Police Cruiser
DORNER MANIFESTO: Rogue Officer Posted His Plan for 'Last Resort' Online
UPDATE: Dorner Manhunt in Big Bear, SWAT, Cops, Agents Go Door-to-Door
CHARRED REMAINS: In Burned Cabin East of Angelus Oaks
Dorner Death Scene: SWAT Captain Details Fugitive Ex-Cop's Final Hours
REDLANDS MOURNS: Slain Detective is Second Local Victim Tied to Dorner
Dorner Shootout Dispatch Records Released: 'Deps Still Down in Kill Zone'
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