The U.S. Department of Justice concluded its investigation into racism and other forms of discrimination by police officers on Friday by announcing an agreement with the city of Antioch and its police department.
A lengthy investigation into dozens of discriminatory text messages that circulated among Antioch police officers between September 2019 and January 2022 will come to an end with the settlement, according to federal officials.
New training requirements
An expert law enforcement consultant will be hired by APD, chosen by both parties, to review and update police policies, procedures, and training on a range of subjects, such as discipline, community policing, non-discriminatory policing, use of force, hiring and promotions, misconduct investigations, discipline, and language access.
According to a statement issued by the Department of Justice, “The agreement contemplates a role for the Antioch Police Oversight Commission and sets forth a framework for data collection and reporting for a five-year period of departmental monitoring, among other provisions.”
Major police corruption
At least ten Antioch and Pittsburg police officers were indicted by federal prosecutors on charges of improperly using weapons and a police dog on suspects, violating civil rights, fabricating records, wire fraud, obstructing justice, turning off body cameras, selling steroids, and paying people to attend officer college courses. The text messages were part of a larger scandal involving these officers.
In May 2024, 12 Antioch officers who were either involved in the suspects’ arrests or investigations were found to have violated the California Racial Justice Act, which forbids the state from pursuing convictions based on race. As a result, four Black suspects who were charged with murder reached plea agreements on lesser charges.
Some of the racist, homophobic, and threatening text message chains that the officers participated in used the N-word to describe Black suspects, described violence against suspects, threatened Black former Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe, and called then-Police Chief Steven Ford, who is also Black, a gorilla.
Up to forty-five Antioch cops were involved in the text messages.Of Antioch’s 99 cops at the time, almost half were placed on leave.
Wire fraud accusations
In a wire fraud conspiracy, six former Antioch or Pittsburg officers were also found guilty of hiring others to finish entire courses at an online university in order to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
The police departments in both cities provided wage increases and other financial incentives after a degree was earned, as well as reimbursements for tuition and other costs associated with higher education.
“Committed to ensuring that such incidents never occur again” is what Antioch police said in a statement on Friday.
“Our collaboration with the USDOJ underscores our dedication to fostering trust, transparency, and accountability within our police department,” added the statement. In order to guarantee that officers maintain honesty and equity while promptly and effectively resolving wrongdoing, we will establish and improve extensive rules, procedures, training programs, community participation projects, and oversight systems throughout this five-year agreement.
“We acknowledge that trust is earned, not given, and this agreement marks a meaningful step forward,” police in Antioch stated.
Separate state investigation
The California agency of Justice is conducting an independent pattern-and-practice inquiry of the agency, and the department stated that it is fully complying with the probe.
“Our commitment to creating a transparent, accountable, and community-focused police department remains steadfast,” Antioch police stated. “We will continue to serve the residents of Antioch with honor, respect, and fairness.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and the Civil Rights Division of the federal Department of Justice have concluded their joint investigation with Friday’s settlement. They specifically looked into whether APD complied with the nondiscrimination clauses of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbid discrimination by organizations receiving federal funding, including APD, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, and religion.
“Fair and non-discriminatory policing is fundamental to effective law enforcement, especially for those agencies that receive federal funding,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement. “In working with the Justice Department to institute policing reform, Antioch Police Department sends a strong message that the discrimination and misconduct that prompted this investigation will not be tolerated. The community deserves nothing less, and the agreement we have obtained will guarantee that Antioch’s policing procedures are free from discrimination going forward.”
Together with the city of Antioch and its city manager, APD reached a resolution agreement “embodying a commitment to nondiscrimination in APD’s policing operations and advancing its ongoing efforts to prevent and address discriminatory law enforcement practices,” according to U.S. Department of Justice officials.
The USDOJ website allows users to report potential civil rights violations.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.