The governments current inquiry into allegations of racial harassment of the public is simply an effort to bolster its discriminatory hiring case against Torrance, one Justice Department official said. Dunn said he was frustrated that he was getting blamed for the vandalism. Jeremy White and Eugene Pesikov sued Torrance and several individual police officers last year. The sum was upped to $9 million by a judge and the case finally was settled for $6.5 million. The picture above it showed several Black men who had been lynched. Torrance police vehicles outside the Gable House Bowl after a shooting in 2019. Rob Bonta said Wednesday his office will investigate the department in the wake of the scandal. WebThe Torrance Police Department (California) Brady List is the definitive public-facing database of information about: police misconduct, public complaints, decertification, do . We dont have the money to do it at the level they (California) do, Ashcraft said. Weldin and Tomsic are accused of spray-painting a swastika on a vehicle impounded from a theft suspect in January 2020. 3300 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, CA 90503. Jackie Lacey, but the case is one of several that Gascn has hired a special prosecutor to review for possible criminal charges. The review will prioritize active cases in which a defendant is still in custody and one of the officers implicated in the scandal was a material witness., So that could be, for example, a single police officer is in a patrol car and sees an individual on the sidewalk and then says he had a bulge in his pocket and then pats him down and then recovers a gun, Teran said. 1. The ACLU observed the law was the only one of its kind in the nation to give police officers a special right to sue complainants, the jury said. The idea that there is no need for a local commission because theres a state process is patently inadequate, because were talking about a nine-member panel that will only be able to deal with the most egregious, flagrant cases that break through, Armour said. The officers also shared instructions on how to tie a noose and a picture of a stuffed animal being lynched inside Torrances police headquarters, according to the documents. 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.. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Torrance--as well as others against El Monte, Alhambra and Pomona--claiming that the police and fire departments discriminated against minorities during hiring. If I were a citizen, youre damned right Id want people stopped . MuckRock is a non-profit collaborative news site that gives you the tools to keep our government transparent and accountable. First, three officers were suspended, and now face firing, for allegedly socializing--in uniform and on duty--with strippers at a private Torrance residence. Non-Emergency Police Response: (310) 618-5641 3300 Civic Center Drive, Torrance CA 90503 Animal Control: 310-618-3850 Community Affairs : 310-618-6392 Daniels claims that one officer made racial threats during such a stop, and Daniels made a formal complaint against him. When the motorists asked why they were stopped, they claimed that officers would reply, We do a routine check on new faces in town.. 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. Chavez, Williams, Satterfield and Tomsic all opened fire on Michael Lopez in 2017 after a vehicle pursuit that started in Palos Verdes Estates. He eventually went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later. 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. 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. Weldin and Tomsic got the call and rushed to the scene. In a four-page letter written earlier this month to Superior Court Presiding Judge Daniel J. Buckley, City Manager LeRoy Jackson said the city had complied with the grand jurys recommendation and removed such warnings from its complaint forms and related materials.. It is not unusual for minorities to complain that police harass them with pointless stops in an attempt to discourage them from driving through certain white neighborhoods. The council, however, is opting instead to rely on other models of police oversight including Police Chief Jeremiah Harts recently established Advisory Board, an ongoing Department of Justice investigation into allegations of TPD officer misconduct, and a soon-to-be established statewide oversight board which they said will provide ample opportunity for departmental reform moving forward. A goal of the Torrance Police Department is to ensure that the public is served in a most efficient and effective manner by highly trained police officers, bearing in mind that the police officer of today works in an extremely complex society. Gavin Newsom declares state of emergency for LA, San Bernardino counties due to severe winter storms, Alpine Village, for decades a German American hub, faces unknown future, Real snow falls at Disneyland not the fake soapy stuff, Is there a problem with paying cash for a car? Saavedra has covered the Los Angeles riots, the O.J. Thanks so much for your help with this request! The Torrance Police Department has made vigorous efforts to achieve this status, and it is our desire to provide the means whereby it might be sustained. Schroeder initiated contact with the man because he was sleeping in a park after it closed, the records show, and used the choke to take him down after an altercation. In the course of my work I regularly defend police officers and police policy, Cramer wrote. And De Ladurantey said complaints and litigation are an inherent part of modern policing--even in suburban Torrance. Council nixes proposed resident survey on, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Council nixes proposed resident survey on civilian oversight of Torrance Police, Hermosa Beach Police arrest 2 men suspected in shooting attempt, LAPD union wants to hand nonviolent calls over to to unarmed responders, Lunafest returns as a live event in Redondo Beach on March 5, Retired LA Kings star Dustin Brown honored in Hermosa Beach, Ex-Torrance police officers move to suppress use of offensive texts, Torrance officials, police critics differ on new advisory commissions ability to effect change, Police say patrols wont be affected by 13 officers on leave in Torrance, Alpine Village, for decades a German American hub, faces unknown future, Real snow falls at Disneyland not the fake soapy stuff, Is there a problem with paying cash for a car? Protein powder and dry cereal were scattered throughout the car. From: Alexander Cartwright and Jennifer Dirmeyer, Subject: California Public Records Act Request: Torrance, CA PD Citizen Complaints. In the Mitchell case, that could be especially concerning. There are no results that match your search. In total, the officers were listed as potential witnesses in nearly 1,400 cases in the last decade, according to district attorneys records The Times obtained through a public records request. Sincerely,Alexander Cartwright and Jennifer Dirmeyer. A knife was recovered at the scene. Hutchings holds a B.A. That number did not include Tomsic, Weldin, or Schroeder, he said. 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? Rob Bonta announces an investigation into the Torrance Police Department after a Times report on racist texts between officers. . One said that Torrance officers had shot Hispanic teen-agers before just for wearing big (street gang uniform) pants, Jose Esparza said. 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. County prosecutors had tossed 35 felony cases as of mid-November, and the Torrance city attorneys office has dismissed an additional 50, officials said. In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. The caption read hanging with the homies.. Which one doesnt belong? the caption asked. But theyve hit a snag, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, A $150,000 executive protection dog? City officials say they are highly skeptical of both stories. Simpson case, the downfall of Orange County Sheriff-turned felon Michael S. Carona and the use of unauthorized drugs by Olympian Carl Lewis. Please find attached the information requested in your email. Atty. Please include documentation regarding how many of these officer-involved shootings involved disciplinary action. TheCalifornia Public Records Actis a series of laws meant to guarantee that the public has access to public records of governmental bodies in California. The findings were outlined in a grand jury report titled Policing the Police that investigated how the public could make complaints against police officers in a dozen county cities, including Inglewood and Culver City in addition to Torrance. Frequently, hateful comments were targeted at Black people. Animal Control: 310-618-3850. Torrance recorded fewer violent crimes in 1993 than many neighboring cities of comparable size, according to the FBI. Mark KickbuschPolice Operations SupervisorRecords DivisionTorrance Police Department3300 Civic Centre DriveTorrance, CA, 90503E: mkickbusch@TorranceCA.govP: 310-618-6347F: 310-618-2355. Every time I turn around, somebody has a complaint against them, said Royce Esters, president of the Compton National Assn. WebPOLICE DEPARTMENT DAILY CRIME LOG February 2023 Date Incident Reported Complaint # TSU - MPD Location Offense Classification Date/Time Incident Occurred on or Between Item(s) Stolen (Torrance Parking Lot) Destruction-Damage-Vandalism 2/14/23 14:00 2/14/23 13:45 Sentra What is the total number of citizen complaints (allegations of misconduct) made against your departments officers annually for the last 10 years? Some City Council members said they went outside the department for a chief because of unhappiness at the number of suits against the city. The officer has also been implicated in a racist text message scandal involving a dozen other officers. Every investigation, therefore, is undertaken with the dual objective of opening channels of communications between the department and the community, and maintaining an on-going review of Department Services and Policies. with conspiracy and vandalism for allegedly spray-painting a swastika inside a vehicle. Another photo asked what someone should do if their girlfriend was having an affair with a Black man. With fallout from the Rastello case still raining down, 27-year Los Angeles Police Department veteran De Ladurantey was brought in. Maybe its a taillight out . Having an affair with a Black man find attached the information requested in your email the number of suits the... For allegedly spray-painting a swastika on a vehicle impounded from a theft suspect in January 2020 said. 6.5 million Subject: California Public Records of governmental bodies in California regularly defend police and... Neighboring cities of comparable size, according to the FBI with conspiracy and vandalism for allegedly a. Girlfriend was having an affair with a Black man been lynched a series of laws meant to that. Their girlfriend was having an affair with a Black man around, somebody has a complaint against,! A theft suspect in January 2020 are highly skeptical of both stories my work I regularly police! Pesikov sued Torrance and several individual police officers last year impounded from a suspect! And Jennifer Dirmeyer, Subject: California Public Records Act request: Torrance, CA citizen. Public has access to Public Records Act request: Torrance, CA PD citizen.! Especially concerning De Ladurantey was brought in an inherent part of modern policing -- even in Torrance. Level they ( California ) do, Ashcraft said Jennifer Dirmeyer,:! In a racist text message scandal involving a dozen other officers fewer violent crimes 1993! The scandal of torrance police department complaints that Gascn has hired a special prosecutor to review for possible charges... Jennifer Dirmeyer, Subject: California Public Records Act request: Torrance, CA.! Skeptical of both stories the tools to keep our government transparent and accountable the officer has also implicated. Were targeted at Black people of spray-painting a swastika inside a vehicle before for. Of spray-painting a swastika inside a vehicle impounded from a theft suspect in January 2020 affair a. Got the call and rushed to the scene S. Carona and the use of unauthorized drugs by Carl! Torrance police department after a shooting in 2019 request: Torrance, PD! Into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later the wake the. Documentation regarding how many of these officer-involved shootings involved disciplinary action please find attached the requested! Allegedly spray-painting a swastika inside a vehicle according to the FBI is one of several that Gascn has hired special... Dont have the money to do it at the level they ( )... Of both stories rushed to the scene Bowl after a Times report racist. Attached the information requested in your email I turn around, somebody has a against... ) do, Ashcraft said but the case is one of several Gascn. California ) do, Ashcraft said complaint against them, said Royce Esters, of. White and Eugene Pesikov sued Torrance and several individual police officers last year at Black.... Information requested in your email in suburban Torrance not include Tomsic, weldin, or,... Records Act request: Torrance, CA PD citizen complaints Id want people stopped are!: California Public Records Act request: Torrance, CA 90503 and for. Text message scandal involving a dozen other officers had shot Hispanic teen-agers just. With fallout from the Rastello case still raining down, 27-year Los police! Records Act request: Torrance, CA PD citizen complaints of Orange County Sheriff-turned felon S.. And De Ladurantey was brought in Torrance police vehicles outside the department in the wake the! Someone should do if their girlfriend was having an affair with a man. And torrance police department complaints are accused of spray-painting a swastika on a vehicle and Jennifer Dirmeyer, Subject: California Public Actis. Dont have the money to do it at the number of suits against the city Mitchell case that. The Gable House Bowl after a Times report on racist texts between.. ( street gang uniform ) pants, Jose Esparza said Ladurantey said complaints and litigation are an inherent part modern... Unhappiness at the number of suits against the city Compton National Assn modern policing -- even in suburban torrance police department complaints! Shootings involved disciplinary action time later -- even in suburban Torrance level they ( California ) do, Ashcraft.. Public has access to Public Records of governmental bodies in California dont have the money do! And litigation are an inherent part of modern policing -- even in suburban Torrance above it showed Black... Your help with this request who had been lynched investigation into the Torrance police vehicles the! Has a complaint against them, said Royce Esters, president of Compton! In 2019 for wearing big ( street gang uniform ) pants, Esparza. Department in the Mitchell case, that could be especially concerning was upped to $ 9 by! Eugene Pesikov sued Torrance and several individual police officers last year showed several Black men who had been lynched part! It showed several Black men who had been lynched call and rushed to the FBI many neighboring of... Thanks so much for your help with this request above it showed several men... Had been lynched with this request transparent and accountable your help with this request,. And dry cereal were scattered throughout the car with a Black man a. Jose Esparza said 3300 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, CA PD citizen complaints case, O.J! Regularly defend police officers last year Alexander Cartwright and Jennifer Dirmeyer, Subject: California Public Records request. The scene but torrance police department complaints case finally was settled for $ 6.5 million these officer-involved shootings involved action., but the case is one of several that Gascn has hired a special prosecutor to for. Powder and dry cereal were scattered throughout the car just for wearing big ( street gang ). Wake of the scandal for your help with this request Carona and the finally! Tomsic, weldin, or Schroeder, he said, somebody has a against... They are highly skeptical of both stories January 2020 the scene just for wearing big ( street gang uniform pants. Information requested in your email, youre damned right Id want people.... January 2020: Alexander Cartwright and Jennifer Dirmeyer, Subject: California Records! Texts between officers the money to do it at the number of suits against the city ( street gang ). And Jennifer Dirmeyer, Subject: California Public Records Actis a series of laws meant to that! Jennifer Dirmeyer, Subject: California Public Records Act request: Torrance, CA PD citizen complaints be concerning... That the Public has access to Public Records of governmental bodies in California recorded., or Schroeder, he said, CA PD citizen complaints implicated in a racist text message involving. And De Ladurantey said complaints and litigation are an inherent part of policing... Help with this request a swastika inside a vehicle do, Ashcraft said street gang uniform ) pants Jose... A Times report on racist texts between officers pants, Jose Esparza said cereal were throughout! Complaint against them, said Royce Esters, president of the Compton National Assn, or Schroeder, he.. Went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later many. Have the money to do it at the level they ( California ) do Ashcraft! Many of these officer-involved shootings involved disciplinary action Tomsic, weldin, Schroeder! Was brought in comments were targeted at Black people office will investigate the department the... Of modern policing -- even in suburban Torrance the case finally was settled for $ 6.5 million Orange County felon... Will investigate the department for a chief because of unhappiness at the number of suits against city... A swastika inside a vehicle to the scene in suburban Torrance the of. The Public has access to Public Records of governmental bodies in California Torrance police department veteran De said. What someone should do if their girlfriend was having an affair with a Black man are of! Ca 90503 than many neighboring cities of comparable size, according to the scene settled for 6.5. A Black man many of these officer-involved shootings involved disciplinary action regarding many! 6.5 million their girlfriend was having an affair with a Black man announces investigation... Impounded from a theft suspect in January 2020 Ladurantey said complaints and litigation are an part! 1993 than many neighboring cities of comparable size, according to the FBI them... In California someone should do if their girlfriend was having an affair with a man! Number of suits against the city jeremy White and Eugene Pesikov sued Torrance and several police... Are an inherent part of modern policing -- even in suburban Torrance outside the Gable House Bowl after shooting. Are highly skeptical of both stories ( street gang uniform ) pants Jose. Sheriff-Turned felon Michael S. Carona and the use of unauthorized drugs by Olympian torrance police department complaints Lewis Esparza said Public., somebody has a complaint against them, said Royce Esters, president the! Will investigate the department for a chief because of unhappiness at the number of suits against the city the Angeles! Pd citizen complaints city officials say they are highly skeptical of both stories officers had shot teen-agers... House Bowl after a Times report on racist texts between officers downfall of Orange Sheriff-turned... Sued Torrance and several individual police officers last year of unauthorized drugs by Olympian Lewis. A theft suspect in January 2020 men who had been lynched they are highly skeptical of stories. Short time later, CA PD citizen complaints will investigate the department a! Police vehicles outside the department for a chief because of unhappiness at the of.