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OVERVIEW

THE MOVE TO RESTORE LAW AND ORDER

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On the afternoon of 29 April 1992, the worst civil unrest since the riots of the 1960's erupted in the streets of Los Angeles. Forty-four people died, and hundreds of injuries occurred before order was restored. Property damage reached the billion- dollar mark because of rampaging looters and the thousands of fires that they set.

It began as a small disturbance in south central Los Angeles, but quickly escalated and spread rapidly throughout the city and county. The violence overwhelmed law enforcement authorities initially, resulting in the burning of large areas of the city.

The governor of California committed the state police and two thousand National Guard soldiers to assist in restoring law and order in the early morning hours of 30 April. A National Guard military police company arrived in the area that afternoon and immediately began operations to support local police.

Joint Task Force Los Angeles (JTF-LA) was formed following a Presidential Executive Order on the evening of 1 May. The Executive Order federalized units of the California National Guard (CAARNG) and authorized active military forces to assist in the restoration of law and order.

JTF-LA formed and deployed within twenty-four hours, assembled from U.S. Army and Marine forces. It operated in a unique domestic disturbance environment, while working with city, county, state, federal agencies and the CAARNG.

JTF-LA was completely successful in meeting the three objectives defined in its mission statement. "JTF-LA assumes command and control of federalized National Guard, active duty Marine and Army forces, establishes liaison with local law enforcement agencies, and conducts civil disturbance operations to restore order in the greater Los Angeles area."

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Foreword
Civil Disturbance Doctrine