A&E -- American Justice LAPD

The O.J. Simpson investigation. The Rodney King beating. The LA riots. Examine the notorious cases that have combined to tarnish the image of the LAPD, once regarded as the finest in the nation. See how the LAPD has changed since its glory days in the 1950s, and trace the changes in society, crime, and policing that have combined to turn modern LA into a powder keg. Learn why even the slightest missteps by the police are exaggerated, while deliberate transgressions like the ultra-violent beating of King have created a legacy of distrust that may never be overcome. Go behind the scenes of the troubled force to examine the landmark cases that defined the department, and talk with former chief Darryl Gates and current chief Willie Williams for a remarkable insider's view of the problems the LAPD faces. Finally, speak to patrol officers and private citizens to see how the LAPD is regarded on the street today.

• documentary