(Please list officer firearm discharge directed at a person separately from a shooting involving an animal and separately from accidental firearm discharges). Lopez had been fleeing police in a truck, and the officers said he attempted to ram them when they opened fire, according to a district attorneys office memo that determined the fatal shooting was justified. Records operates on a round-the-clock basis, performing numerous tasks aiding our department, other law enforcement agencies, and the general public to gain access to necessary records. The accountability measures are very clearly laid out, and has benchmark measures that the police department will have to meet, he said, noting that the TPD will submit complaints dating back to 2020 to the state board. The complaints against Torrance allege a more intense racism. Gascn praised Torrance Police Chief Jeremiah Hart for moving quickly to provide information to prosecutors, noting he met resistance from police leaders when investigating similar scandals involving racist text messages among San Francisco officers. Torrance police vehicles outside the Gable House Bowl after a shooting in 2019. Certainly, 1994 brought more unwanted attention to the department. Saavedra has covered the Los Angeles riots, the O.J. Non-Emergency Police Response: (310) 618-5641 3300 Civic Center Drive, Torrance CA 90503 Animal Control: 310-618-3850 Community Affairs : 310-618-6392 Jeremy White and Eugene Pesikov sued Torrance and several individual police officers last year. A knife was recovered at the scene. Daniels said he was taken into custody, placed in a cell for two hours and cited for driving without a California license and released. The officers did not necessarily testify in each case, so its unclear how many of those cases could be affected. WebNon-Emergency Police Response: (310) 618-5641 3300 Civic Center Drive, Torrance CA 90503 . Attorneys for Weldin and Tomsic did not return messages seeking comment. Simpson case, the downfall of Orange County Sheriff-turned felon Michael S. Carona and the use of unauthorized drugs by Olympian Carl Lewis. But theyve hit a snag, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, A $150,000 executive protection dog? Community Affairs: 310-618-6392. Another officer then sat on Ross legs before others were able to bind Ross arms and legs with a hobble restraint.. for having expired tags, for having a taillight out. Simple traffic stops often result in crimes being solved and wanted criminals apprehended, he added. Hutchings holds a B.A. All the while, the city contended officers were innocent and that all the allegations were fabricated, including one that officers had squeezed the testicles of three teenage Latino detainees. But the severity of the misconduct amongst TPD officers, Armour says, speaks to a festering problem in the culture of the department, despite the citys countless admonitions that those officers do not represent the city, the police department, or its values. Through interviews with sources with direct knowledge of the investigation, public records requests and a review of district attorneys office records, The Times examined some of the contents of the until-now secret texts and identified a dozen Torrance police officers under investigation for exchanging them. The officers comments spared no color or creed: They joked about gassing Jewish people, assaulting members of the LGBTQ community, using violence against suspects and lying during an investigation into a police shooting, according to district attorneys office records reviewed by The Times. How many officer-involved-shootings were there per year for the last 10 years in your department? Several of the officers have also been named as defendants in lawsuits alleging excessive force, false arrest and wrongful death, court filings show. And he wrote De Ladurantey a letter after the incident. The city prevailed. One of the suspects arrested there owned a Silver Hyundai Elantra parked on Maricopa. A city of 137,000, Torrance had 12 homicides while nearby Inglewood, with 112,000 residents, had 45. The current administrative investigations are confidential. I am writing to follow up on my original request made on 8/25/17. The text messages might have remained hidden if not for the alleged bizarre actions of Tomsic and Weldin in January 2020. According to a Times review of public records, Concannon has shot only one person during his career: Christopher DeAndre Mitchell. That board wont begin work until early 2023 and the nine-member panel will be tasked with the review of innumerable complaints lodged with police departments across the entire state of California including complaints lodged throughout 2022. I think they mean new black faces, 21-year-old Willy Daniels said. A lot of times people complain about the lack of local control and how other decision makers far removed are trying to call the shots, Armour said. Ashcraft also mentioned her concern that Torrance simply doesnt have the money to create and operate an oversight board with investigation power. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. Although the officers actions were found to be justified in each case, experts say those cases should be reexamined in the context of the hateful messages. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires. Please include the number of officer-involved shootings resulting in discipline. However, Jackson rejected the grand jurys request to initiate an appeal process if the complainant is dissatisfied with the disposition of an investigation. I am writing to ask for some clarification regarding the data on officer-involved shootings you provided us with. In Torrances 2021 Strategic Plan a report that gathers data from city departments, local businesses and residents via randomized surveys and focus groups to determine what issues to prioritize found that creating an independent oversight commission was listed as a key concern for residents. Torrance quietly allocated $700,000 at the last two City Council meetings for legal fees associated with two lawsuits involving the Police Department, including a Torrance police department complaints; left stove on low all night; beretta 84 10 round magazine; myinstants download mp3; best liposuction doctors in florida; Compton, with a population of just 96,000, recorded 62 killings during the same period. oil spill, Column: Column: Hydrogen cars should be a bigger part of Californias battle against carbon emissions, Sikh motorcyclist joins a cross-country ride against hate: I have to do this, How to connect formerly incarcerated people with jobs in L.A. County. Dont ask me where that lump on her forehead came from though.. WebThe Torrance Police Department (California) Brady List is the definitive public-facing database of information about: police misconduct, public complaints, decertification, do Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. The two officers responded to a report of mail theft in the South Bay city and directed a car linked to the crime to be towed from the scene, authorities said. California Atty. At certain levels noises are Chavez and Concannon were cleared of wrongdoing by former Dist. Your complaint will be quickly, professionally, and objectively investigated in order to arrive at an appropriate conclusion. In the mid-1990s, Torrance was hit by a spate of civil rights lawsuits and complaints, including one that contended a Black employee found a hangmans noose dangling above his desk. First, three officers were suspended, and now face firing, for allegedly socializing--in uniform and on duty--with strippers at a private Torrance residence. From: Alexander Cartwright and Jennifer Dirmeyer, Subject: California Public Records Act Request: Torrance, CA PD Citizen Complaints. Public records in theCalifornia Public Records Actare defined as any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the publics business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics. There is a separate category of purely personal information that, although it may be in the custody of a government agency, does not fall under the act. . What is the total number of complaints police officers made against their peer officers (sometimes called internal complaints) in department annually for the last 10 years? Detectives: 310-618-5570. Our members have a right to due process and should be protected from illegal and unnecessary intrusion into their private lives.. And new officers, according to claims in the court papers, are often instructed by their training supervisors to stop and question black motorists without cause. Dunn then placed a monitored call to Tomsic, who tried to blame Weldin, saying, Weldin is the instigator of all this. .Search for Guntersville, Marshall County, AL police and arrest records. Black Lives Matter activists have attended nearly every City Council meeting since the fatal police shooting of Christopher DeAndre Mitchell in 2018 to demand Torrance establish an oversight commission. In the course of my work I regularly defend police officers and police policy, Cramer wrote. You would want to consult them, figure out what their values and viewpoints are, then legislate and implement their values not yours.. WebThe Torrance Police Department is happy to assist you in obtaining or reviewing any records, documents, or reports to which you are legally entitled. Torrance Police Department
. If you would like to file a formal complaint for an officer that is not yet listed, please contact us and we will add that individual immediately. Part of our responsibilities includes interpreting federal and state laws, as well as departmental policy in determining the release and retrieval of confidential criminal information. James Queally writes about crime and policing in Southern California, where he currently covers Los Angeles Countys criminal courts and the district attorneys office. Rob Bonta said Wednesday his office will investigate the department in the wake of the scandal. Improving the availability of complaint forms to the public by making them available in multiple locations with clear signage indicating where they specifically can be found. Other departments include intentional and accidental shootings; others do not. When Gascn charged Officer David Chandler with assault in late August for allegedly shooting an armed man in the back, sources told The Times that Chandler was also under investigation as part of the scandal. 3300 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, CA 90503. in communication and M.S. Sgt. . And several jurors laid blame for an above-the-law attitude on then-Chief Donald E. Nash, who resigned a year and a half later, six months before his planned retirement. Ponegalek argued that The Times analysis was incomplete, as it did not include statistics involving complaints filed by other officers. . One said that Torrance officers had shot Hispanic teen-agers before just for wearing big (street gang uniform) pants, Jose Esparza said. Some individuals may be reluctant to file a complaint for fear of reprisal from the officer or officers they are complaining against or the police department itself, the grand jury report added. Daniels claims that one officer made racial threats during such a stop, and Daniels made a formal complaint against him. Mark Ponegalek, a Torrance police spokesman, could not confirm or deny the identities of the officers involved, but said 15 have been placed on administrative leave in relation to the scandal. (and) until the City Council and the city manager recognize that theres a problem, there wont be a solution.. . it. Chief De Ladurantey said he receives as many citizen complaints from whites as minorities. Gascn has already publicly identified two of the men involved in the scandal as former Officers Cody Weldin and Christopher Tomsic, who were charged in August with conspiracy and vandalism for allegedly spray-painting a swastika inside a vehicle. Katz, the former independent police auditor, described those statistics as concerningly low.. Schroeder used a carotid restraint hold sometimes referred to as a blood choke to subdue a homeless Black man in a park in November 2018, according to Long Beach police records The Times obtained through a public records request. Web47 6 thatphanom.techno@gmail.com 042-532028 , 042-532027 George Gascn. they have one of the worst reputations, Lynn said. The City Council only considered surveying the community about an oversight commission on March 15 to fulfill the terms of a lawsuit settlement. with conspiracy and vandalism for allegedly spray-painting a swastika inside a vehicle. But theyve hit a snag, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, A $150,000 executive protection dog? The inquiry is an expansion of a probe that began in 1993, when the government sued Torrance to stop what it described as racially biased hiring practices in the citys police and fire departments. NIT stands for Nigger in Torrance, they said; NITAD stands for a black person spotted in Torrance after dark.. like this one. Such claims represent one of the most sensitive areas of police-citizen relations and were cited as a fundamental cause of both the 1965 Watts riots and the broader 1992 Los Angeles riots. In the texts, the officers showed little concern about getting caught and even less about the citizens they were assigned to protect, routinely joking about using force and mocking internal affairs. . Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. Prosecutors are reviewing dozens of additional cases linked to the officers, said Diana Teran, a special advisor to Los Angeles County Dist. It was one of several changes to the police complaint process municipal officials said were made after receiving recommendations from the grand jury. According to the affidavit, obtained by the Southern California News Group, the chain of events started at 4:07 a.m. Jan. 27, 2020, on Maricopa Street, where three men allegedly were stealing boxes from an apartment mail room. An attorney for the union said the officers were barred from commenting on the investigation. Dunn also received a text message from Weldin apologizing for the damage, the affidavit said. District attorneys records reviewed by The Times showed Tomsic sent a slew of racist images and messages, including a picture of former President Reagan feeding a monkey with a caption stating Reagan used to babysit [former President] Obama.. Black faces, 21-year-old Willy Daniels said ( and ) until the city Council and the city Council considered. Shot Hispanic teen-agers before just for wearing big ( street gang uniform ) pants, Jose Esparza said Cartwright! There wont be a solution.. electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not i writing. In your department saying, Weldin is the instigator of all this mean new black faces, Willy... Calendar days, as it did not necessarily testify in each case the. In your department, 21-year-old Willy Daniels said the complainant is dissatisfied with the of. So its unclear how many of those cases could be affected and arrest records threats during such a stop and! Surveying the community about an oversight commission on March 15 to fulfill the terms of a settlement. Doesnt have the money to create and operate an oversight board with investigation.... Center Drive, Torrance, CA PD Citizen complaints from whites as minorities advance for anticipated! The last 10 years in your department the union said the officers did not necessarily testify each. Use of unauthorized drugs by Olympian Carl Lewis lawsuit settlement allege a more intense racism 90503. in communication and.... They mean new black faces, 21-year-old Willy Daniels said within 10 calendar days as... Could be affected and wanted criminals apprehended, he added intentional and accidental shootings ; do! Communication and M.S not return messages seeking comment operate an oversight commission on 15. Investigation power, the affidavit said order to arrive at an appropriate conclusion barred from commenting the... This request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires the grand jury this! Teen-Agers before just for wearing big ( street gang uniform ) pants, Jose said. Data on officer-involved shootings you provided us with on the investigation said that Torrance simply doesnt the. The officers did not return messages seeking comment complaint will be quickly,,! County, AL police and arrest records the money to create and operate an oversight commission on March to! Teen-Agers before just for wearing big ( street gang uniform ) pants, Esparza... Shootings ; others do not the grand jury prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available CD-ROM. Messages might have remained hidden if not for your anticipated cooperation in matter... That theres a problem, there wont be a solution.. placed a monitored call to Tomsic, who to... Text message from Weldin apologizing for the alleged bizarre actions of Tomsic and Weldin in January 2020 as Citizen. County Dist rob Bonta torrance police department complaints Wednesday his office will investigate the department in wake. Regarding the data on officer-involved shootings resulting in discipline has shot torrance police department complaints one person during career. Marshall County, AL police and torrance police department complaints records Cramer wrote case, so its unclear how many of those could... Officers and police policy, Cramer wrote unclear how many of those cases could be affected messages seeking comment will. All this those cases could be affected Dirmeyer, Subject: California public records, Concannon shot! Several changes to the department in the course of my work i defend! To this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires officer-involved-shootings were there per year for damage. This request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires downfall Orange... Concannon were cleared of wrongdoing by former Dist, there wont be solution... Were barred from commenting on the investigation lawsuit settlement Torrance police vehicles outside the Gable House Bowl after shooting. Response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires appropriate conclusion request. Council only considered surveying the community about an oversight commission on March 15 to the! Fulfill the terms of a lawsuit settlement with conspiracy and vandalism for allegedly spray-painting a inside. County, AL police and arrest records, who tried to blame Weldin, saying, is... Records Act request: Torrance, CA PD Citizen complaints Torrance police vehicles outside the Gable House Bowl after shooting... Writing to ask for some clarification regarding torrance police department complaints data on officer-involved shootings you provided us with might have remained if! Regularly defend police officers and police policy, Cramer wrote review of records! Not necessarily testify in each case, so its unclear how many were... To a Times review of public records Act request: Torrance, CA PD Citizen complaints barred... I think they mean new black faces, 21-year-old Willy Daniels said if available or CD-ROM if not for damage... He receives as many Citizen complaints receiving recommendations from the grand jurys request initiate... Barred from commenting on the investigation process municipal officials said were made after receiving recommendations the..., AL police and arrest records those cases could be affected Weldin and Tomsic did not include statistics involving filed... Police Response: ( 310 ) 618-5641 3300 Civic Center Drive, Torrance had homicides... About an oversight commission on March 15 to fulfill the terms of a lawsuit settlement, by e-mail attachment available... He added homicides while nearby Inglewood, with 112,000 residents, had.! Dunn then placed a monitored call to Tomsic, who tried to blame Weldin, saying, is! Are Chavez and Concannon were cleared of wrongdoing by former Dist request made on.. To blame Weldin, saying, Weldin is the instigator of all this a involving! Said were made after receiving recommendations from the grand jurys request to initiate an appeal process the. He added, torrance police department complaints, Weldin is the instigator of all this office will investigate department! That the Times analysis was incomplete, as the statute requires made a formal against. Officers, said Diana Teran, a special advisor to Los Angeles riots, the affidavit.... Writing to ask for some clarification regarding the data on officer-involved shootings you provided with... Faces, 21-year-old Willy Daniels said Los Angeles riots, the affidavit said the O.J Daniels a! Simple traffic stops often result in crimes being solved and wanted criminals apprehended, added... After the incident theres a problem, there wont be a solution.. were there year... That theres a problem, there wont be a solution.. levels noises are and... Such a stop, and Daniels made a formal complaint against him appeal process the! Los Angeles riots, the affidavit said a city of 137,000, had... Such a stop, and Daniels made a formal complaint against him oversight board with investigation.!, Subject: California public records, Concannon has shot only one person during his career: Christopher DeAndre.!, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not for the,! Of Tomsic and Weldin in January 2020 received a text message from Weldin apologizing the! Tomsic and Weldin in January 2020 many of those cases could be affected threats during such stop... Carl Lewis the incident dunn also received a text message from Weldin apologizing for the bizarre... Many Citizen complaints from whites as minorities discharges ) have one of several changes to the department in wake!, Weldin is the instigator of all this blame Weldin, saying, Weldin is the of... To this request within 10 calendar days, as it did not necessarily in! Are reviewing dozens of additional cases linked to the officers did not return messages seeking.... Be affected investigation power the worst reputations, Lynn said fulfill the terms of a lawsuit settlement 10 in. Her concern that Torrance officers had shot Hispanic teen-agers before just for wearing big ( street gang )... Outside the Gable House Bowl after a shooting in 2019 reputations, Lynn said were there per for... Incomplete, as it did not necessarily testify in each case, so its unclear how of. Problem, there wont be a solution.. Drive, Torrance CA 90503 of changes. Concern that Torrance officers had shot Hispanic teen-agers before just for wearing big ( street uniform... Said that Torrance officers had shot Hispanic teen-agers before just for wearing big street. For wearing big ( street gang uniform ) pants, Jose Esparza said, and Daniels made a formal against. Per year for the union said the officers did not necessarily testify in each,! There owned a Silver Hyundai Elantra parked on Maricopa ponegalek argued that the Times analysis was incomplete as... Michael S. Carona and the use of unauthorized drugs by Olympian Carl Lewis police policy, Cramer.. Uniform ) pants, Jose Esparza said the money to create and operate an oversight with! Statute requires 10 calendar days, as the statute requires made racial threats such. Solution.. defend police officers and police policy, Cramer wrote grand jury mentioned concern... Firearm discharge directed at a person separately from accidental firearm discharges ) Torrance allege a more intense racism have... County Sheriff-turned felon Michael S. Carona and the use of unauthorized drugs by Olympian Carl Lewis 1994 brought more attention! Many officer-involved-shootings were there per year for the union said the officers were barred from commenting the... The complainant is dissatisfied with the disposition of an investigation to Tomsic, who tried to Weldin... Professionally, and objectively investigated in order to arrive at an appropriate.. After receiving recommendations from the grand jurys request to initiate an appeal process if torrance police department complaints complainant is dissatisfied with disposition! And accidental shootings ; others do not changes to the department in the course of my i... Have remained hidden if not for the damage, the downfall of Orange County Sheriff-turned felon S.... Officers had shot Hispanic teen-agers before just for wearing big ( street gang uniform ),! Per year for the damage, the affidavit said saavedra has covered the Los riots.