Judge Orders LAPD to Rescind Sergeant Reprimand
A Superior Court judge ruled that the department must drop a reprimand against an officer for his 2020 protest conduct.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Curtis A. Kin ordered the LAPD to rescind a reprimand issued to Sergeant Daniel Bunch. The disciplinary action stemmed from the sergeant's use of force during 2020 protests.
Why it matters
The ruling concludes a legal challenge in which Sergeant Bunch argued the department's disciplinary findings were arbitrary. He maintained that he was denied a fair hearing throughout the long-running process.
Judge Curtis A. Kin granted the sergeant's petition on October 13, 2026. This follows Chief Jim McDonnell's November 2025 decision to sustain the reprimand after a March 2021 review board panel finding.
The players
Daniel Bunch
He is an LAPD sergeant who faced disciplinary action regarding his command decisions during civil unrest.
Curtis A. Kin
He is a Los Angeles Superior Court judge who presided over the legal challenge to the department's disciplinary finding.
Jim McDonnell
He is the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department who sustained the original reprimand against the sergeant.
The details
The reprimand originated from Sergeant Bunch's decision on May 30, 2020, to command officers to fire less-lethal projectiles at protesters. The City Attorney's Office argued the sergeant failed to designate specific targets or properly assess distances, an action that resulted in the hospitalization of two civilians.
Timeline
May 30, 2020: Sergeant Bunch ordered the use of less-lethal weapons during protests.
March 2021: The Use of Force Review Board panel reviewed the case.
November 13, 2025: Chief Jim McDonnell issued an order sustaining the reprimand.
October 13, 2026: Judge Curtis A. Kin granted the petition to rescind.
Legal Context
This case highlights the ongoing judicial scrutiny of police disciplinary procedures following the massive 2020 protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Courts continue to evaluate how departments enforce use-of-force policies during periods of civil unrest.
The court's decision may impact how local police handle internal disciplinary procedures after high-profile incidents. Residents may see continued discussion regarding departmental accountability following the hospitalization of two civilians during the 2020 events.
The takeaway
The court ruling marks a significant end to the sergeant's challenge against the LAPD's internal disciplinary process. It underscores the ongoing tensions between departmental policy enforcement and the rights of individual officers during protest operations.
Further reading
For more on department oversight, read the latest updates in Los Angeles Law Enforcement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
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