Paul

FACTS

Officer Kumlander’s Testimony and Evidence Obtained through a Body-Worn Camera

At a hearing on the motion to suppress evidence, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Charles Kumlander testified that on March 7, 2020, at around 9:00 p.m., he and his partner Officer Helmkamp were patrolling a residential neighborhood. A Toyota Prius drew his attention because it was parked with the lights on and appeared to be occupied. Officer Kumlander drove the patrol car alongside the Prius and stopped. Officer Helmkamp, who was in the passenger seat, then illuminated the Prius with his flashlight. There was a male in the vehicle (later identified as Paul) who moved lower in his seat when the officer shined the flashlight. Officer Kumlander observed that Paul appeared to be “conceal[ing] himself from [the officers’] view.” The officer also observed that Paul was male and had dreadlocks. Officer Kumlander patrolled the area regularly and knew that a parolee lived across the street from where the Prius was parked.

2 Officer Kumlander backed up the patrol car and parked it in the middle of the street with the headlights on. He then approached the driver’s side door of the Prius to engage…