Two Los Angeles Police Department officers with histories of misconduct are facing the possible loss of their state-issued police certifications over the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Margarito “Junior” Lopez five years ago in South Central Los Angeles.
Jose Zavala and Julio Quintanilla could become the first officers to be stripped of their policing powers in California under Senate Bill 2, which has been slowly rolled out since it was adopted in 2021. Without their certifications, the men would not be allowed to work as police officers anywhere in the state.
A five-member board created under SB 2 unanimously agreed in April to revoke Zavala’s and Quintanilla’s certifications after determining neither officer was in immediate danger when they shot and killed Lopez…