L.A. County firefighters involved in violent assaults against civilians are keeping their jobs despite criminal convictions, raising serious questions about accountability in the department.
At a Glance
- Firefighter Eric Carpenter choked a man unconscious in 2015 but kept his job after a suspension
- Fire Captain Adam Clint was fired after a felony assault on his neighbor but was reinstated with back pay by the Civil Service Commission
- The L.A. County Fire Department is appealing the decision to reinstate Clint
- Both cases resulted in legal settlements costing millions, paid by insurance companies
- Critics say these incidents damage public trust in first responders
Halloween Horror: Firefighter Chokes Man Unconscious
In a disturbing 2015 incident, Los Angeles firefighter Eric Carpenter and a group of men attacked Samuel Chang, who was simply handing out Halloween candy in a neighborhood. Video evidence showed Carpenter holding Chang in a chokehold for six minutes, causing kidney failure and severe head trauma that required weeks of hospitalization. Though charged with felony assault, Carpenter ultimately pleaded down to a misdemeanor in 2017, avoiding jail time and remaining on the city payroll after a brief suspension.
Chang’s lawsuit for assault, battery, emotional distress, false imprisonment, and negligence resulted in a $7.4 million settlement paid by the defendants’ insurers. His injuries forced him to delay graduate studies, and he continues to suffer from chronic headaches and cognitive issues. During the confrontation, Carpenter and others accused Chang of distributing “drug-laced candy,” a claim Chang denied and was recording on his phone when attacked.
Fire Captain Reinstated Despite Felony Conviction
In a more recent case, Los Angeles County Fire Captain Adam Clint was fired after being convicted of felony assault against his neighbor. However, in a controversial decision, the L.A. County Civil Service Commission voted to reinstate Clint with over two years of back pay. The commission characterized the violent incident as “an isolated, uncharacteristic lapse in judgment not likely to be repeated,” dismissing the fire department’s concerns about maintaining professional standards.
Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Ewald made this statement in the termination letter to Clint, clearly outlining why the department believed his actions warranted dismissal. The Fire Department is now appealing the commission’s decision to reinstate Clint, arguing that it was within their discretion to terminate an employee convicted of a violent felony. Clint’s attorney claims his client is remorseful but denies accusations that he used racial slurs or brandished a weapon during the confrontation.
Pattern of Commission Overruling Department Decisions
The Civil Service Commission’s decision to reinstate Clint is not an isolated case. The commission has repeatedly reinstated employees across various Los Angeles County departments, frequently contradicting the recommendations of department heads. These decisions have cost taxpayers millions in back pay and created frustration among department leadership attempting to maintain disciplinary standards. Department heads have challenged these reinstatements in court, with mixed results.
The incident between Clint and his neighbor, Robert Pope, involved a heated argument that escalated to physical assault. The aftermath was so traumatic that Pope and his family eventually moved away from the neighborhood. For victims like Pope and Chang, the reinstatement of their attackers to positions of public trust raises serious questions about justice and accountability in public service. These cases highlight the tension between employment protections for government workers and the public’s expectation that those sworn to protect communities are held to the highest standards of conduct.
