SIX COPS FACE PENALTIES CHIEF ENDS 10-MONTH PROBE IN FLASHLIGHT BEATING OF EX-CON.

Byline: Jason Kandel and Rick Orlov Staff Writers

Capping nearly a year of investigation, Police Chief William J. Bratton announced Thursday that two officers involved in the televised beating of ex-convict joyrider Stanley Miller will face serious departmental charges while four others will get suspensions of four to 15 days.

The decision comes 10 months after the incident and less than three weeks before a runoff election in which Mayor James Hahn has made public safety the cornerstone of his campaign. Black community leaders hailed Bratton's action against six of the eight officers involved in the incident, but the police union sharply criticized the chief and accused him of ignoring the facts.

``The decisions I have made today, I am comfortable with making,'' Bratton said during an afternoon press conference at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ in South Los Angeles.

``I think I have done a good job of spending a lot of time reviewing the information that was provided to me and taking into account carefully the actions of every officer involved in this incident.''

Bratton refused to identify the officers or reveal their penalties, but the information was obtained through a request under state public-records law.

Two officers, John Hatfield and David Hale, both eight-year veterans, were relieved of duty pending Board of Rights hearings, which are held when officers face punishment that could range from more than 22 days off duty without pay up to dismissal. Hatfield is accused of hitting the suspect 11 times with a metal flashlight June 23. Hale was the second officer to reach Miller and assisted in trying to handcuff him.

Officers Todd Behrens, Peter Bueno, Michael O'Connor and Phillip Watson received suspensions ranging from four days without pay to 15 days without pay. They can appeal.

No action was taken against Sgt. Angela McGee, the supervising officer, who was the last to arrive on the scene, or Officer Andrew Moody.

John Mack, the president of the Los Angeles Urban League, who demanded that officers be held accountable for the beating, commended Bratton and the Los Angeles Police Department for following through on his promise to punish those responsible and involve civilians in the process.

``Today is a very special day and a milestone in what many may feel has been a marathon race,'' said Mack, who joined Bratton in the afternoon press conference at the church. ``Chief Bratton has acted responsibly.''

Mayor James Hahn, who had been critical of Los Angeles County officials when they refused to prosecute the officers in February, praised Bratton's decision.

``I am pleased that Chief Bratton today announced that we are one step closer to resolving this case,'' Hahn said. ``I will not accept police misconduct in carrying out the LAPD's mission to protect and serve.''

Police Commission President David Cunningham said the case represented a new day for the LAPD. He said the LAPD is clearly moving forward with reforms and acted responsibly to the public and to the officers.

``As I read the charging documents, one of the concepts that clearly emerged is the importance of police integrity,'' he said. ``When it comes from the top, it will trickle down to the rank and file, and that's what the cultural change in the Police Department is all about.''

Inspector General Andre Birotte called the transparency and openness of the case ``unprecedented.'' From the beginning, he said, his office was involved, working to come to its own resolution, while the LAPD launched an Internal Affairs Division case against its officers.

``So that has left our office with a very comfortable and satisfying feeling, being around to be involved early in this investigation,'' he said, adding that his office is now shifting into an analysis of how well the department conducted the investigation and meted out its discipline. The report will go before the Police Commission in the coming months.

But Bob Baker, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents the rank and file, fired off an angry statement.

``The LAPPL is deeply disillusioned with the decision,'' he said in a printed statement. ``While we commended the district attorney in February for (county prosecutors') even-handedness, we are disappointed with LAPD's decision today.''

He called the conclusion by the chief inconsistent with the facts of the case.

Bratton stood by his statements, saying the investigation was exhaustive and comprehensive, and his decisions were based on facts.

``I am very comfortable with the discipline recommendations that I am making,'' he said.

Bratton's announcement followed on the heels of a February decision by county District Attorney Steve Cooley not to file criminal charges against the officers. Miller, 36, is a twice-convicted car thief who had led police on a pursuit in a stolen car before the beating.

``I think it's appropriate that these officers be punished for what they did,'' said Miller's criminal defense attorney, Mark Werksman. ``There has to be a penalty for police brutality, and the Police Department has to crack down on it.''

Earlier this year, Miller, who was not seriously injured but complained of pain to his head and nose, pleaded guilty to joyriding and evading arrest in the June 23 incident, and he is serving a three-year sentence, Werksman said.

Miller has filed a claim against the city for damages in the case. Details were not available late Thursday.

The case prompted Bratton to revise the LAPD's policy on using flashlights. And Thursday, at a city Budget and Finance Committee hearing, Bratton asked for the city to pay $500,000 for new, lighter rubber flashlights that will do less damage than the metal ones currently in use.

Bratton denied the timing of his decision was political.

``Politics had nothing to do with the timing of our investigation or the release of information,'' he said. ``We are releasing this information as soon as we can.''

Jason Kandel, [phone]

jason.kandel(at)dailynews.com

AT A GLANCE

The following Los Angeles Police Department officers were involved in the June 23 videotaped arrest of Stanley Miller of Compton, whose beating with a flashlight raised concerns about use of force.

--Officer John Hatfield, relieved of duty pending a Board of Rights hearing. The video shows the eight-year LAPD veteran hitting the suspect 11 times with a metal flashlight.

--Officer David Hale, relieved of duty pending a Board of Rights hearing. The eight-year veteran was the second to reach Miller and assisted in trying to handcuff him.

--Officer Todd Behrens, eight-year veteran, suspended for 15 days without pay.

--Officer Peter Bueno, eight-year veteran, suspended for six days without pay.

--Officer Michael O'Connor, seven-year veteran who was in the patrol car that began the pursuit, suspended for five days without pay.

--Officer Phillip Watson, eight-year veteran, suspended four days without pay. The first to reach Miller after the pursuit, Watson briefly pulled his gun, then holstered it and tackled the suspect.

--Sgt. Angela McGee, supervising officer, last to arrive on the scene. No action taken against the 16-year veteran.

--Officer Andrew Moody; no action taken against the 10-year veteran.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) BRATTON

(2) ABC televised flashlight blows to joyrider Stanley Miller, arrested after he fled in a stolen car.

Box:

AT A GLANCE (see text)