Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Antioch Police Chief pledges full cooperation with CA DOJ, announces acceptance into new Trust Building Campaign with 25 Key Policies

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Source: IACP

By PIO Ashley Crandell, Antioch Police Department Community Engagement Unit

On May 10, 2023, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a civil rights investigation into the Antioch Police Department. Chief Steven Ford welcomes this investigation and pledges full cooperation with DOJ officials, just as we have done with the joint FBI-Contra Costa DA investigation already taking place. We understand the importance of ensuring our policies, procedures, and practices are in line with expectations of 21st Century Policing.

In furtherance of our commitment toward meaningful reform, the Antioch Police Department is pleased to announce that we have joined other progressive policing agencies across the United States (and globally) in pledging to enhance trust and collaboration between police and the community we serve. The pledge is part of an initiative called the Trust Building Campaign which was started by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders. In joining the Trust Building Campaign, the Antioch Police Department has pledged to implement 25 key policies and leading practices within a 36-month period.

As we complete the Trust Building Campaign pledge, the Antioch Police Department will prioritize actions encouraging positive community-police partnerships within six focus areas (bias-free policing, use of force, leadership and culture, recruitment, hiring, and retention, victim services, and community relations). These areas and their associated key practices are designed to promote safe, effective interactions, create strategies to prevent and reduce crime, and improve the wellbeing and quality of life for all.

In a world where information is spread so quickly, it is critical, now more than ever, that law enforcement have the trust of the community that they will provide truth, transparency, and justice.

Through the Trust Building Campaign, the IACP is committed to addressing these, and other issues, on a national and international level.

Statement from Chief Steven Ford:

“We are excited to announce this partnership with the IACP Trust Building Campaign. This initiative aligns with our Strategic Plan goals that we have been progressively implementing during our Public Safety Partnership and emphasizes our commitment to advancing public safety practices through community engagement, transparency, and bias-free policing. We look forward to collaborating with our community stakeholders, justice partners, and industry experts to ensure success in meeting the goals of this campaign.”

For more information about the Trust Building Campaign, visit the IACP’s website at https://www.theiacp.org/iacp-trust-building-campaign.

25 Key Policies and Promising Practices

  1. Establish a policy on bias-free policing.
  2. Increase transparency and accountability of police use of force. Publish use of force and complaint process policies.
  3. Provide officers with training and coaching on cultural responsivity.
  4. Train officers on the unique makeup and needs of their communities based on country of origin, religious and cultural practices, etc. which may conflict with local laws.
  5. Adopt the elements of the National Consensus Policy on Use of Force into the agency’s policies and procedures. Publish use of force policy
  6. Provide regular training on the agency’s use of force policy. Training should include scenario-based exercises that incorporate de-escalation techniques.
  7. Document all use of force beyond handcuffing in agency records. Review these records on an annual basis to identify trends that need to be addressed in policy and training.
  8. Participate in the National Use of Force database.
  9. Establish an agency policy or statement that recognizes the sanctity of life and the importance of preserving human life during all encounters. Adopting the IACP Oath of Honor will meet this requirement.
  10. Participate in accreditation, certification, or credentialing process that has an independent organization that reviews an agency’s policies and procedures.
  11. Ensure training and policy reflect a culture of equity, diversion, inclusion, accountability, and that promote procedural justice for community members and employees alike.
  12. Establish an employee wellness program that includes both physical and mental health.
  13. Conduct a culture assessment of the organization, with steps taken to address areas of concern.
  14. Provide body armor to officers and require the wearing of soft body armor while on uniformed patrol.
  15. Embrace the guardian officer rather than the warrior mindset in recruiting and training.
  16. Establish minimum educational standards or equivalency requirements that can be met by prior life experience. Provide officers with the opportunity for advanced education and training opportunities.
  17. Verify potential hires with the national decertification database before hiring experienced officers.
  18. Include measures of problem-solving, trust-building, and cultural responsivity in metrics of officer performance.
  19. Train officers in Trauma-Informed Responses.
  20. Train officers on best practices, resources, and tools for communicating with community members who do not speak English or whose ability to communicate is impaired.
  21. Establish partnerships to provide for mental health, substance abuse, and youth deflection/diversion resources in their community.
  22. Educate communities on the dynamics of policing and set reasonable expectations for their police. Establish shared expectations of the role police have in the community and solicit review and input from the community on agency policies and procedures.
  23. Establish a clear and timely complaint process that does not require written or sworn statements to submit. Complaint processes and policies should be accessible to all.
  24. Conduct a regular recurring survey of the community to measure the level of trust in the police.
  25. Establish written strategies to engage with youth and marginalized groups in the community to develop positive relationships with police officers and how to interact safely with police.

 

 

 

CA Attorney General Bonta launches civil rights investigation into Antioch Police Department

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Review comes amidst allegations of bigoted text messages and other potentially discriminatory misconduct 

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced initiating a civil rights investigation into the Antioch Police Department (APD). The investigation will seek to determine whether the law enforcement agency has engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing amid deeply concerning allegations relating to bigoted text messages and other potentially discriminatory misconduct. If, through this investigation, the Attorney General’s Office determines that unlawful activity or practices took place, the office will also determine what potential actions are needed to ensure comprehensive corrective action takes place at APD.  (See related articles here and here)

“It is our job to protect and serve all of our communities,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Police departments are on the front lines of that fight every day as they work to safeguard the people of our state. However, where there are allegations of potentially pervasive bias or discrimination, it can undermine the trust that is critical for public safety and our justice system. It is our responsibility to ensure that we establish a culture of accountability, professionalism, and zero tolerance for hateful or racist behavior, on or off duty.”

Under the California Constitution and California Civil Code section 52.3, the Attorney General is authorized to conduct civil investigations into whether a law enforcement agency has engaged in a pattern or practice of violating state or federal law. As opposed to a criminal investigation into an individual incident or incidents, a pattern or practice investigation typically works to identify and, as appropriate, compel the correction of systemic violations of the constitutional rights of the community at large by a law enforcement agency. With regard to the Antioch Police Department, the Attorney General has made no determinations at this time about specific complaints, allegations, or the agency’s overall policies and practices. The Attorney General’s independent investigation of APD is separate from ongoing or potential administrative or criminal investigations at the local and federal levels.

As interaction and cooperation with the community is at the core of law enforcement’s work to provide public safety and create public trust, the Attorney General encourages anyone with information relevant to this investigation to contact the California Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Enforcement Section at Police-Practices@doj.ca.gov. Members of the public may also send information to the California Department of Justice in other languages. During the course of the investigation, attorneys and special agents at the California Department of Justice will work diligently to consider all relevant information, including from community members and organizations, local officials, oversight entities, Antioch Police Department, and individual officers.

Attorney General Bonta is committed to strengthening trust between local law enforcement and the communities they serve as one key part of the broader effort to increase public safety for all Californians. In February, Attorney General Bonta launched an investigation into allegations of excessive force at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Last year, the Attorney General assumed responsibility for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s investigation related to contracts awarded to a local nonprofit. He worked with authorities in San Francisco to help ensure the continuation of local oversight efforts related to officer-involved shootings, in-custody deaths, and severe uses of force. Attorney General Bonta also opened a pattern or practice investigation into the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. In 2021, the Attorney General launched an independent review of the Torrance Police Department and secured a stipulated judgment against the Bakersfield Police Department requiring an extensive range of actions to promote public safety. Attorney General Bonta also established the Racial Justice Bureau within the Civil Rights Enforcement Section to, among other things, help address issues of implicit and explicit bias in policing.

 

One man shot, Oakland teen arrested following two shootings in Oakley, police chase to Concord

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Assisted by CC Sheriff, CHP, Concord PD; suspect held on $900,000 bail

By Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard

SHOOTING ON LORENZETTI DRIVE

On Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 4:52PM Oakley Police Officers were dispatched to the 4300 block of Lorenzetti Drive for a 44-year-old male who reported he had just been shot. Our officers arrived a few minutes later and found the victim on his front porch suffering from a gunshot wound to his groin area.

The victim informed officers he was shot by an African-American male who was between 20-25 years old, the victim further stated he was confronted by a total of three African-American males. The suspects fled in a black Volvo after the shooting and the victim was able to take a photograph of the license plate of the Volvo before the suspects fled. The victim was transported to a local hospital for the treatment of his wounds, where he remains in an unknown condition today.

Our officers broadcasted the license plate, and the severity of the situation, to all local law-enforcement agencies. Shortly thereafter a deputy sheriff from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff got into a pursuit with the Volvo heading west bound on Highway 4. The Volvo was lost during the pursuit somewhere in the area of Highway 4 and the Port Chicago exit.

Officers from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, California Highway Patrol, Oakley Police Department, Concord Police Department and the Pittsburg Police Department began searching the area for the Volvo. The Volvo was found on a nearby surface street, it was unoccupied and it had obviously been involved in a crash as evidenced by significant damage and deployed airbags. Officers from all five agencies began searching an adjacent field for the suspects. Two Pittsburg Police canine teams were brought in to assist with the search.

After a very extensive search one of the suspects was found hiding in a bush in the field. The suspect who was found is also the registered owner of the Volvo, the suspect is identified as Bryan Cummings (19, Oakland). Cummings was taken into custody and arrested, and later booked, for the shooting. A “ghost gun”, a gun with no manufacturer markings or serial numbers, was found inside the Volvo. In this case the lower frame of the handgun had no manufacturer associated with it and it had no serial numbers, the lower frame was mated to a Glock slide. The gun was loaded with live rounds and it had an extended magazine in it. A large amount of marijuana was also found inside the Volvo.

Oakley Police detectives were called in to begin their investigation. At this point it is believed two other suspects are involved and we are working to identify them.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Cummings is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on $900,000 bail.

“The known suspect in this case is rather young, being only 19 years old. However, he has already been arrested as an adult- once for carrying a loaded firearm with an extended magazine (Alameda County case), and again for robbery, conspiracy, possession of a firearm, hit and run and obstructing law enforcement officers (Alameda County case). He will now also deal with his arrest in our case. It is sad to see somebody so young on such a negative path in life. I do hope something happens in this young man’s life that will change his ways, but I fear for people who may become future victims of his. For this reason I urge the maximum amount of accountability to be applied in this case.

My department will continue to try to identify all of the involved parties to hold them accountable for any wrongdoing they may have done. I appreciate all of the assistance we received in this case from all of our allied partners”.

SHOOTING ON EAST RUBY at THIRD STREET

On May 7, 2023 at 5:07PM Oakley Officers were dispatched to the area of E. Ruby Street and 3rd Street for the report of another shooting. Officers found spent shell casings in the area and reviewed surveillance video that was made available to them. In the video we have determined a Gray SUV was chasing a Black Buick Regal and the occupants of the SUV were shooting at the Buick.

We checked nearby houses and vehicles, and we did not find any bullet holes in any of them. We also checked with local hospitals to see if there were any victims from this incident and we were informed nobody had been checked in for gunshot wounds (outside of the victim from our case on Lorenzetti Drive). This case remains under investigation.

If anybody has information on either of these cases please call us at 925-625-8060.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Contra Costa DA report found 2021 Richmond Police use of force “reasonable”

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An autopsy determined Ivan Gutzalenko’s cause of death was “Prone restraint asphyxia and cardiac arrest while under the influence of methamphetamine.”

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has issued a report on the death of 47-year-old Ivan Gutzalenko after an encounter with Richmond Police officers in 2021.

As previously reported, on March 10, 2011, the Richmond PD Communications Center received a 911 call from a business owner in the 12600 block of San Pablo Avenue, advising of an individual who was creating a disturbance inside the business and damaging property. When officers arrived, they found the 47-year-old man stumbling around. He had fallen to the ground. The man appeared to be in medical distress or under the influence of drugs. Officers tried to calm the man and provided medical assistance to him until the paramedics arrived.

Officers placed him in a prone position while one officer placed his knee on the individual’s lower back to handcuff him. The man was placed on a gurney and taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, despite all lifesaving measures the man passed away.

“Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident (LEIFI) reports are part of my policy of being more transparent in the criminal justice system,” District Attorney Diana Becton noted. “Even in complicated cases like this one, it’s important for the public to know the details of an investigation and how my team and I reached our legal decision.”

Each LEIFI report summarizes the results of the District Attorney’s independent criminal investigation, includes a summary of an autopsy, the outcome of a coroner’s inquest, a legal analysis of the facts, and a determination of criminal liability.

According to the LEIFI report, “On March 11th, 2021 an autopsy was conducted on Gutzalenko by Dr. Arnold Josselson. Blood samples taken from Gutzalenko tested positive for methamphetamine. Gutzalenko’s cause of death was listed as ‘Prone restraint asphyxia and cardiac arrest while under the influence of methamphetamine.’”

In the case of Ivan Gutzalenko, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s legal analysis determined that the officers’ use of force on March 10, 2021, was reasonable given the circumstances. The analysis also found insufficient evidence to prove that the force used by the officers caused Mr. Gutzalenko’s death. Therefore, no further action will be taken in this case.

To read the complete LEIFI report on Ivan Gutzalenko, click here.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Martinez man charged with gun possession in a school zone

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Suspect out on bail

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has filed a two-count complaint against a Martinez man for possessing a firearm in a school zone.

23-year-old Michael Joseph Childressfrey has an arraignment date set on May 31st for offenses related to an incident that occurred on April 26th at John Swett Elementary School on Alhambra Avenue in Martinez.

At approximately 1:00 pm, Martinez Police were dispatched to the school campus to investigate reports of a known adult male who was in the school parking lot. Police were told that the man was not a welcomed presence, and he frequently carries a firearm.

When officers arrived at the school, they approached Childressfrey in a parked vehicle. He was cooperative, and when asked, Childressfrey said he was in possession of a firearm. Law enforcement authorities placed Childressfrey under arrest for gun possession in a school zone and carrying a loaded concealed firearm. Later, police seized two additional weapons from Childressfrey’s residence. Childressfrey was taken into custody and immediately posted bail before the investigation could be referred for prosecution.

While the incident was resolved peacefully, parents and neighbors have expressed their concern over the matter, and that Childressfrey posted monetary bail the day of his arrest.

District Attorney Diana Becton said, “This incident is understandably distressing– my Office worked in conjunction with the Martinez Police Department to ensure a swift filing determination. After receiving a request for prosecution from Martinez Police on Friday, the DA’s Office reviewed the case and filed the necessary documents with the court to initiate prosecution on Monday.”

Case No. 01-23-01358 | The People of the State of California vs. Childressfrey, Michael Joseph

Antioch man arrested in stolen car following police chase from Oakley

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Sixth arrest this year including one the day before, has history of arrests dating to July 2018

By Chief Paul Beard, Oakley Police Department

On April 27, 2023 at 9:11AM Officers B. Jackson and A. Hurtado were on patrol in the area of Main Street at Neroly Road when they saw a white Saturn vehicle being driven in a reckless and haphazard manner. Officers Jackson and Hurtado attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver fled from them and lead them on a pursuit.

The pursuit went into the City of Antioch via Laurel Road. The driver briefly yielded at the intersection of Laurel Road and Canada Valley only to take off again. The driver then took several routes through the City of Antioch with Officers Jackson and Hurtado being joined by Officer Radcliffe and his canine partner “Harkon”.

Eventually the driver ended up driving down Fulton Shipyard Road to the dead end. The driver attempted to drive beyond what is typically able to be navigated at the end of the road, but then he came to a stop. The driver also opened his door and showed signs he was getting ready to run from our officers.

The driver, identified as Matthew Quiroz (Antioch, 36), however opted to surrender and comply at that point, and he was taken into custody.

Quiroz was booked into jail for being in possession of a stolen vehicle and for leading our officers on a pursuit.

Matthew Quiroz has been arrested five times so far in 2023. It appears as if Quiroz was released from jail (in Martinez) this morning, for the crime he committed yesterday, and quite possibly the first thing he did was steal a car to come to Oakley.  The following constitutes Quiroz’ known criminal activities in 2023:

  • February 8, 2023- arrested for being under the influence of drugs and unable to care for himself (Brentwood PD)
  • February 22, 2023- identified as the suspect in a carjacking involving threats of harm and death (Oakley PD)
  • March 5, 2023- arrested for robbery, terrorist threats, false imprisonment and probation violation (Antioch PD)
  • April 15, 2023- arrested for being drunk in public and unable to care for himself (Antioch PD)
  • April 26, 2023- arrested for lewd conduct and theft (Antioch PD)
  • April 27, 2023- arrested for evading officers and being in possession of a stolen vehicle (Oakley PD)

I suspect some people will look at the pattern of Quiroz’ activities and come to the conclusion many of his offenses have been “victimless crimes”. What I see however, is a strong pattern of criminal activity. We are barely past one quarter of 2023 and Quiroz has been arrested more times in this quarter than most readers of this article have been in their whole lives. When I consider the fact pattern of our carjacking case in February, the fact Quiroz was arrested for robbery and false imprisonment in March, and when I consider the lives Quiroz placed at risk during today’s pursuit I see many opportunities for his actions to create a great number of victims, so I am not apt to equate no harm to no foul. These crimes (fouls) did occur and there are victims associated to them.

Are you tired of the consistent pattern of crimes that occur time and time again? Are you tired of the more violent society we have? Are you tired of organized retail thefts when you spend your time working hard to pay for everything you need? If you answered ‘yes’ to all three of these questions I am in complete agreement with you. We need better legislation. We need legislation that would work for the people to undo the damage AB 109, Prop 47 and Prop 57 have done and we need to return necessary tools back to prosecutors, and the criminal justice system as a whole, in order to establish much more accountability for criminal behavior and a much greater degree of safety for society. Until then I will continue to appreciate and rely on the police officers of the Oakley Police Department, and the region as a whole, to keep doing what they do to keep the public safe.

Stay safe everybody.”

Suspect Has History of Arrests

In addition to his arrests this year, ccording to localcrimenws.com, Quiroz has a history of arrested dating back to July 2018 by the Solano County Sheriff’s, Antioch, BART Police, Vallejo, American  Canyon and San Leandro Police Departments for outstanding warrants, parole violations, drug possession, assault with a deadly weapon or with force likely to cause great bodily harm, threats of violence, vandalism of $6,000 or more and failure to appear.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Payton Perspective: Rombough and Co. have to go

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The five remaining Antioch Police Officers being sued in the racist text scandal must resign or be fired

It’s a sad, frustrating, embarrassing and difficult time in Antioch, right now. People are angry, want something done, especially our Black residents and rightfully so. The people of our city must have accountability from those paid to protect us and assurances that the racist and offensive texts sent by several Antioch Police officers will never happen again. Plus, our community needs healing. But things need to be done in a way that is fair to all concerned. (See related articles here and here)

The scandal is the real-life fulfillment of what’s written in the Bible verse, Numbers 23:32, “you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” After reading the texts sent on their personal cell phones and reading the federal lawsuit against them, it’s clear that one officer in particular, and four others should resign immediately to start that healing process and if they’re ever going to be considered men of integrity, again in their lives. Furthermore, they need to find another career path, seek counseling and guidance to become better human beings, be required to publicly ask the forgiveness of the people they texted about, as well as of the people of Antioch that they were sworn to protect, not cost us taxpayers any additional money on investigations, salaries or benefits, and not embarrass us any further. If they don’t quit, they must be fired as soon as the investigation is completed.

Antioch Police Officer Eric Rombough following his hire as a lateral officer from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 14, 2017. Photo by APD

Clearly, the worst of them is Officer Eric Rombough, followed by Sergeant Josh Evans and Officer Morteza Amiri, as well as Officers John Ramirez and Scott Duggar, plus Timothy Manley Williams, who already quit in 2021. It’s no surprise they’re the officers listed in the lawsuit filed last week as they clearly have the most culpability. What they wrote is so disgusting, the fact they found humorous injuring suspects and violating their rights is horrendous, and offering a reward to anyone who would shoot, even with a non-lethal weapon, to injure a sitting city council member is horrific.

Others, including Sgt. James Stenger and Detective Robert Gerber, need to be demoted as a form of discipline within the department for their responses to the texts and not doing what was necessary to stop them. Sgt. Jimmy Wisecarver retired last November, so he can’t face any discipline for his part in commenting on the texts and apparently not doing anything to stop them.

To be fair to the officers, the texts in the two reports were clearly cherry-picked by the DA’s Office Investigator out of all the pages of text messages. (The Herald requested them on Thursday, April 27, 2023. They have 10 days to respond.) Since some mistakes have been found in the two reports, any and all texts between officers during the timeframe of September 2019 through April 2022 should be released. Plus, we should know if there are any texts from any of the department leaders telling the officers to stop what they were doing.

The officers who remain in the department must hold each other accountable, as well – be the first check and balance on the misbehavior and bad attitudes of other officers. They need to remember who pays their very generous salaries and benefits and who they are hired to serve – we the people!

But not all of the 44 APD officers named in the reports, including 13 to 15 remaining department leaders who received the texts, should be fired, nor should they lose their pensions. Nor does the department need the U.S. Attorney General or his Department of Justice to provide oversight. All such demands by officials and residents are a serious and unnecessary overreach. The politicians need to help calm things down and be voices of reason, instead of further stirring up emotions trying to appear sympathetic and pander to certain audiences to get votes.

For most of the others included in the text threads, there’s been an overreaction, specifically blowing out of proportion one text message sent by Antioch Police Officers Association president Rick Hoffman, who is also a sergeant in the department. He merely made fun of one of his fellow officers who claimed he was called a racist. Hoffman didn’t write any texts that were racist or offensive about any citizen.

Here’s that exchange:

On 05/04/2020, At 8:59 p.m., APD Sgt. Josh Evans text, “Kardell’s mom was yelling how we shot and killed someone today. That rumor getting around quick.”

At 9:00 p.m., APD Sgt. Jimmy Wisecarver text, “Laughed.” APD Sgt. Evans replies, “That was right after she called me a racist as cop….” APD Officer Rick Hoffman laughed at the above listed comment and stated, “Well she has a point.

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While he and other leaders and officers were included in some of the group text threads, to be fair, how can they be held accountable for something they received, and didn’t respond to, as they may have not read those texts?

Ask yourself if you’ve ever been part of group text threads, group chats in Facebook Messenger or even participated in comments made below the post by someone else or yourself on Facebook or Twitter and may not have seen and read all the texts or comments. Just because somebody included you doesn’t mean you took the time to read what the others wrote. I know I’ve been included in text threads, in Facebook Messenger groups and in posts on Facebook, including my own posts, and haven’t had time to read all the texts or comments nor did I respond to all of them. Maybe I’ll respond to only one or two texts, or even a thread of comments under my own Facebook posts. But who has time to read all of them? I know I don’t. So, how can I or anyone be held accountable for something somebody else wrote that you or I didn’t even see, read or respond to? We can’t. Nor should any of the officers who merely were on the receiving end of one or more of the texts. Lumping all the officers into one group of the guilty is wrong, irresponsible and unfair.

Furthermore, had annual reviews been done for each officer – which haven’t been done for anyone in the department since 2017 – the texts sent or received using their personal cell phones would not have been included. So, the leadership would never have known about them anyway. So, that’s a non-issue as far as the text scandal is concerned. But I believe some of the leaders had to know at least the content of some of the texts and didn’t do enough to stop them.

There are what are referred to as sins of commission and sins of omission. While those leaders who received the texts may not have committed any wrongdoing because they didn’t send out any texts, they are guilty of either not doing what they should by reading the texts to know what those who serve under them were sharing or if they did, not doing something or enough to stop it. There’s only one text referenced in the reports in which one officer said to another that one of the leaders, Sergeant Matt Koch told them to knock it off.

The second report reads, On March 31, 2021 At 3:11 p.m., APD Officer Adams texted…“Haha. I forgot that Koch wanted us to stop sending dumb sh-t. Oops.” (a comment that Rombough “laughed” at)

——————–

As for Hoffman, he needs to be a good leader, fall on his sword and at least resign as APOA president for his sins of omission. Because as a sergeant, some of the officers, including Rombough, served under him.

But let’s all slow down a bit, and for all but the five officers still with the department who are listed in the lawsuit, let the investigations be completed before passing judgment. Everybody who screwed up needs to be held accountable however they can be, and that includes those in the Antioch Police Department, as well as the DAs office. That includes disciplining the staff members who merely semi-redacted the first report revealing officers’ phone numbers and the names of the officers included in the FBI investigation as well as the charges they’re facing, as well as to whom the redacted reports were sent and by whom. (See related article)

New Personal Cell Phone Use Prohibition Policy Must Be Implemented

According to Chief Ford, a new policy was implemented last year regarding use of personal cell phones and a restriction on the discussion of police business including suspects with anyone outside of the department. But he said officers can still use their personal cell phones, not just their department issued cell phones, while on duty. I believe that’s wrong, and a new policy must be implemented prohibiting the use of personal cell phones while on duty, and only on their lunch and other breaks, except in a family emergency. I don’t know what other employees are allowed to use their personal cell phones when they’re at work. Officers shouldn’t either. They should be focused on police work and only use their department issued phones while on the job.

Let’s be clear the racist and offensive texts are wrong, horrible, vile, offensive and hurtful whether they were sent on personal cell phones or not. They were egregious, shocking and the entire thing is embarrassing to those of us who live and/or have a business in Antioch and no doubt to the officers who had nothing to do with sending or receiving the texts, and I’m sure to many who merely received the texts and didn’t read them. The bottom line is the five remaining officers named in the lawsuit must be fired and frankly, if they’re going to demonstrate any kind of remorse, responsibility, maturity and respect for the residents of Antioch, resign immediately. Rombough and Co. have to go. That’s what’s necessary to improve the department and begin healing our community. Please join me in praying for that to occur.

Three suspects sought in armed robbery of $100K in jewelry in downtown Walnut Creek

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By Lt. Ryan Hibbs, Walnut Creek Police Department

On Friday, April 21, 2023, at 10:21 P.M., the Walnut Creek Police Department responded to a parking garage in the 1600 block of Mt. Diablo Blvd. for a reported armed robbery where the victim was struck in the face with a firearm and robbed of $100,000 in jewelry, including a Rolex watch.

The victim described the suspects as three male adults who were wearing all dark clothing and carrying rifles. Prior to officers arriving, the suspects fled in a grey sedan. The victim was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

The Walnut Creek Police Department is reminding everyone to be aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity. Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943- 5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865. Case #: 23-13295

Student arrested for attempted murder and mayhem against another student at Northgate High School Tuesday

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By Lt. Holley Connor, Walnut Creek Police Department

Walnut Creek Police are investigating a violent assault on a student at Northgate High School, 425 Castle Rock Road, that took place this afternoon, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Walnut Creek Police Department officers and detectives arrived, detained the student believed to be responsible, and quickly determined this was an isolated incident between two students. Based on the initial investigation, the suspect was arrested for PC 664/187 – Attempted Murder and PC 203 – Mayhem. He was transported to Contra Costa Juvenile Hall and is being held without bail.

The victim is currently being treated for her injuries at a local hospital and her condition is unknown.

The names of the involved parties will not be released, as they are juveniles. No other details are available at this time because this is an active investigation.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865. Case #: 23-13721

14 people arrested for multiple store robberies in Pittsburg

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Officers with bags of merchandise. One of the suspects arrested. Photos: Pittsburg PD

By Pittsburg Police Department

Our recent Pittsburg Police Retail theft operation was met with grand results. We arrested 14 people, towed 5 vehicles and recovered a total of $5,200 in stolen merchandise.

$3,200 of it was from our local stores (Winco, Walmart, Burlington & Target) in the City of Pittsburg.

$2,000 of it was from other department stores (Old Navy, Children’s Place, Forever21 & Macy’s) in the City of Antioch and San Francisco.

Two of the arrested persons admitted to being boosters (professional thief stealing for others to profit) that normally target department stores in San Francisco. The vehicle they use was towed and the additional $2000 was located inside several Sears plastic bags which were already separated and was supposed to be delivered to their customers. Due to them going on a shoplift spree throughout Contra Costa County, they were charged with felony shoplifting as well as being in possession of stolen property.

All the businesses were very appreciative of our assistance in recovering their merchandise.