LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Police Department faced a setback when its YouTube account was suspended after the department posted a video of a violent assault in an effort to seek the public’s assistance. The department’s appeal to have the account reinstated was subsequently denied, with the announcement of the suspension being made on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
According to LAPD Officer Drake Madison, the department was not provided with specific details regarding the timing of the suspension notification or the denial of the appeal. Meanwhile, YouTube, owned by Google, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.
The department had originally shared a news release on October 26, seeking the public’s help in a case involving a “brutal assault” where two suspects reportedly punched a victim and struck them in the head with bolt cutters. However, the accompanying video from the news release was removed from YouTube for violating the platform’s Terms of Service.
Despite the suspension of their YouTube channel, LAPD HQ reaffirmed their commitment to communicating critical information to the public through their website. The video of the assault, which remains posted on X, has sparked discussions on the role of social media platforms in sharing sensitive content while balancing community safety and the need for public assistance in criminal investigations.
It remains to be seen how the department will navigate its online communication strategies in light of this suspension, as they continue their efforts to engage with the public and seek assistance in identifying the suspects involved in the violent assault.