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At Mondays press conference, Ford apologized to Antioch residents. The teen, like others bitten by Purcy, required surgery, needing stitches or staples to sew up wounds. Crime and Public Safety | Amiri wrote in a police report that he punched the 17-year-old suspect in the face while Purcy was biting him following a police chase from Antioch to Pittsburg on Feb. 17, 2021, according to police records. Rains did say, however, that he believes Antioch police conduct thorough investigations of use of force and excessive force allegations and that his client, Amiri, was not found to have violated policies or removed from the K-9 unit until the federal investigation began. RELATED: Civil rights investigation launched into Antioch PD for alleged racist texts, excessive force, "We want the officers fired and we also want them decertified, so they can't just jump to another department," says Sterling. Miss Manners: Am I the only one bothered by how the kids say no? Antioch's mayor on Monday said that eight of 57 officers in the police department are under investigation by the FBI and county prosecutors. Sign up for NBC Bay Areas Housing Deconstructed newsletter. "Anytime there is any allegation of criminal misconduct, that is something our organization takes extremely seriously," Pittsburg Police said in its statement. In releasing the names, Judge Clare Maier urged caution, saying the content of the messages was so offensive it could "incite further hate or racial animus.". But if thats what theyre doing (making racist and homophobic texts), I dont want them here.. East Bay officers under investigation for 'crimes of moral turpitude' Chicago - IL. In March, the two agencies announced they were investigating an unknown number of officers for "crimes of moral turpitude," which can mean almost any crime involving dishonesty or depravity. In a move that deepened the scandals engulfing the Antioch police department, a Contra Costa County judge on Friday released the names of 17 city police officers accused of using racist. Racist Texts, Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. "I have full confidence in Chief Ford in what he brings to this organization. Amiri reported hitting Gattis three or four times, records show. When I ran for mayor, I did so knowing that I was inheriting years of insufficient oversight of the police department at all levels of government, Thorpe said. COVID is on the rise again in Florida, Taylor Swift concertgoers cause Swift quake with 2.3 magnitude, 800 great white sharks have visited Cape Cod in recent years: The Cape is among the larger white shark hotspots worldwide, $2M wedding nightmare in Aspen due to audio malfunction, lawsuit says, Ridiculous: So-called Snake Burglar admits to 54 felonies, walks out of jail, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Those texts were sent during a 10-day period in March 2021 when Antioch police were wiretapping phones of the people under investigation. Antioch officers claimed to be too injured to testify about racist texts, but were actually at pool parties, driving tractors, attorney claims California Attorney General announces major civil rights investigation And I think, really, that's what police Chief Ford is up against in this department. Because of the deeply disturbing content targeting the Black and Hispanic community, Maier decided the officers were not entitled to anonymity under the state evidence code. sford@antiochca.gov. "Thats why I dont like body cams.". The Antioch Police Department declined to comment for this story. Im disgusted. It will be up to the courts to decide whether the officers texts justify dismissing charges against the people they were investigating. Moral turpitude crimes are crimes that have bad intent. However, these messages have shattered his trust for them altogether. Harriette Cole: I thanked her for the gift -- then I found out it wasn't a gift, How to renew a California drivers license if youre over 70: a roundup of tips. "From lieutenant on up to chief.". Dear Abby: Would it be awkward to invite her to my wedding dinner? Dear Abby: I wasted five years on a man, and I want to start dating efficiently, Harriette Cole: His new girlfriend ruined a trip I was looking forward to, Review: Taylor Swift triumphs on Night 1 of Eras Tour at Levi's Stadium. Antioch police scandals have locals fearing unchecked crime. The judicial action took place on Friday and was reported by the East Bay Times. Five of the officers are already under investigation by the FBI for alleged crimes. The defense attorneys in the ENT case now are expected to file motions to dismiss charges under the Racial Justice Act, arguing that their clients, all Black men, were investigated by racist cops who were out to get them. Hoffman was among the officers placed on leave over the texts, according to multiple Antioch law enforcement officials. All Rights Reserved. Contra Costa County Judge Clare Maier identified all of them, eight of whom were put on leave because of the texts, five who are already under FBI investigation and one of them being the president of the Antioch Police Association. In a written statement, the DA's office said prosecutors working with the FBI conducted what they described as "court-authorized law enforcement activity" at multiple locations on Wednesday. 2023 FOX Television Stations, High Stakes: Sports Betting in California, George Floyd, the Black man murdered by Minneapolis Police Department officers in May 2020, Charges filed after elderly woman kicked to ground in San Francisco, New images from aftermath of wild SF crash, Suspected duo goes on animal killing spree inside pet store: 'This one will make you angry', Former Fairfield pastor admits to 1975 killing of 8-year-old girl, Bronny James, son of LeBron James, rushed to the hospital after suffering cardiac arrest at USC. Antioch Police Chief Steven Ford has signed sworn declarations under penalty of perjury that the officers some under FBI investigation and others who sent racist texts to colleagues have . ANTIOCH, Calif. (KGO) -- A new 128-page report put out by the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office reveals more racist texts sent by Antioch police officers involved in the. Judith Prieve is a reporter and editor for the Bay Area News Group who covers eastern Contra Costa County for the East Bay Times and The Mercury News. Non-Emergency Tel: (925) 778-2441 *9. Business & Lobby Hours 8 am - 5 pm Mon - Fri. Antioch Police Facility 300 L Street Antioch, CA 94509. Ive been told nothing else except it relates in some way to his deployment of his dog, Rains told this news organization. A joint investigation conducted by the FBI and the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office has released a report detailing dozens of incidents of racist, homophobic, sexist and derogatory text messages involving 14 Antioch Police Department officers. I know what I stand for. That list also includes Aaron Hughes, Brayton Milner, John Ramirez and Kyle Smith. According to. These people can go they can go fly a kite for all I care. The mayor also said that in a recent meeting with the Antioch Police Officers Association, it became clear that officers need stable and steadfast leadership.. During the questioning by the police, Abu Banat admitted that he was the man in the video that showed him beheading two men. The department said it "immediately" called on the DA's office to conduct an independent investigation. I appreciate the FBI's and District Attorney's willingness to help in our fight to reform the Antioch Police Department. She has worked as a reporter, features editor and assistant metro editor at newspapers in Wisconsin and Northern California and has been at what is now the Bay Area News Group since 1990. "It's essentially the same group of people, still spewing the same hate speech and hate rhetoric.". The Antioch Police Department is already under scrutiny. Antioch police officers texted racist slurs, threats to harm Black The Antioch Police Officers' Association is a non-profit organization that partners with our local community in order to build relationships, serve and protect, as well as give back to the community we love and share. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Antioch Officer Eric Rombough was the arresting officer in two other federal cases recently dismissed, according to court records. Crime and Public Safety | She did not disclose what each officer is accused of actually sending but generally categorized the content as deeply disturbing and targeting members of the Black and Hispanic community.. On July 14, 2021, Officer Eric Rombough writes: "I'm really good at racial profiling." She graduated fromthe University of Wisconsin -- Madison with a BA degree in English, and also studied abroad focusing on theater, arts and history through UWSP in London, England. "We understand the importance of ensuring our policies, procedures, and practices. While the District Attorneys Office did not say much more than their statement Friday night, Pittsburg police provided more clarity as they released the following statement: In September of 2021, the department received information that a Pittsburg officer was involved in illegal activity and that other law enforcement officers were involved.. From 2008 to 2021, Antioch police officers were involved in 22 shootings, according to police records. "Sh*t aint going anywhere. A sixth, Tim Manly, has resigned from the department. Follow him on Twitter @freddy_brewster, Offers from FOX Television stations and our advertisers. Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. But he is concerned that since then, Officer Hoffman has been rising through the ranks. Im confident we will re-establish ourselves with those who may be skeptical about who we are and what we stand for. Robert Gerber. ", EXCLUSIVE: Antioch police chief calls texting scandal 'hate speech;' open to federal oversight, "For me, I don't take that kind of stuff personal. Those text messages were released to the public defenders on Monday. ANTIOCH, Calif. (KGO) -- Antioch Police Chief Steven Ford is being called to speak at Tuesday night's city council meeting to explain the impact of officer misconduct investigation on staffing and the plan going forward. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Prosecutors typically ask for a grand jury to file an indictment with specific charges at the investigations conclusion, but the decision of whether and how to charge the case rests wholly with jurors. We have 99 on the books, but only 61 that can be on patrol, so there is nothing normal about any of this," says Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe. Ask Amy: What should we do about our neighbor's disturbing 'mistake'? He says the FBI's investigation is all the evidence that is needed. Sterling says officers dragged him out of his house and attacked him. The mayor and chief will also be asking the City Council on Tuesday to approve a package of incentives up to $40,000 and possible help with housing loans for those who join the Antioch police force and stay for at least five years in an effort to deal with staff shortages. "It has now been, since 2009, 13 years at least, that they have let him fester in the department, and rise up and become the APOA leader? Amiri, a former Brentwood police officer who joined APD in 2017, is a central focus of the investigation, sources say. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014. When the bars closed, we came home. "For the gorilla that died," Amiri texted back. The mayor also demanded an external audit of the departments internal affairs process going back six years. In releasing the names, Judge Clare Maier urged caution, saying the content of the messages was so offensive it could incite further hate or racial animus., But, she said, information about the texts and the identities of the officers involved doesnt deserve protection under the California evidence code. Attitudes toward police have changed drastically, too. Antioch claims subpoenaed officers have 'industrial injuries' to avoid The text messages range in date from Sept. 2019 to April 2022 and include texts from both current and former law enforcement officers employed by APD. They have my personal assurance that the City of Antioch will continue to assist her in this matter.". The scandal hit a boiling point for Thorpe on Tuesday when he shouted at speaker during a public comment session. Mayor says 10% of Antioch Police Department under investigation This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. So things like fraud and theft and other types of malfesents that erode the public trust, said legal analyst Steven Clark. 17 Antioch Police Officers Named By Judge, Racist Texts Exposed - The Root OAKLAND - The fallout from an ongoing FBI investigation into Antioch police, which deepened this month when racist texts among officers surfaced, has resulted in the government tossing out. Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. Prosecutors accused 14 people - including Suleyman Aslan, the director of state-owned . The revelation of a federal grand jury probe comes after federal and state prosecutors dismissed cases that relied on the testimony of Amiri, Rombough and other officers. April 14, 2023 4:59 PM PT. Dear Abby: I wasted five years on a man, and I want to start dating efficiently, Harriette Cole: His new girlfriend ruined a trip I was looking forward to, Review: Taylor Swift triumphs on Night 1 of Eras Tour at Levi's Stadium. ANTIOCH -- A Contra Costa County judge has released the names of 17 Antioch police officers accused of using racist slurs, jokes and memes in text messages over a period of more than two years. Gattis suffered an intracranial hemorrhage, spinal cord injury, and chest wall trauma, according to a lawsuit he filed, naming Amiri, Rombough, and two other officers as defendants. Maier ordered those text messages be released to defense attorneys, whose four defendants are part of the ENT case and are mentioned in the officers texts. "Back in November of 2009, I was out with my friends at local bar. COVID is on the rise again in Florida, Taylor Swift concertgoers cause Swift quake with 2.3 magnitude, 800 great white sharks have visited Cape Cod in recent years: The Cape is among the larger white shark hotspots worldwide, $2M wedding nightmare in Aspen due to audio malfunction, lawsuit says, Ridiculous: So-called Snake Burglar admits to 54 felonies, walks out of jail, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Im already good at racial profiling: New batch of Antioch cops texts show how much racism and policing intertwined The police chief is Tammany Brooks. "Since we dont have video I sometimes just say people gave me a full confession when they didnt. Miss Manners: Am I the only one bothered by how the kids say no? Crime and Public Safety | Lets go!" Multiple law enforcement sources say the federal grand jury a group of citizens that typically meets in secret to determine whether criminal charges should be filed has called witnesses related to uses of force involving Antioch police K9 Officer Morteza Amiri, whose dog has bitten at least 22 people since 2019 by far the most of any of Antiochs seven K9s, according to documents released by the police department.