Law Enforcement Experts Discuss Inappropriate Harassment of Elected Official by Police Department

Case Overview

This case involves a plaintiff, a member of a local police commission, who served as an elected official whose role it was to oversee the policies, budget, and operations of the entire police department. During her term, she frequently came into conflict with the chief of police through her vocal and frequent criticism of the chief’s incompetence and abuse of office. Allegedly, the police chief therefore initiated an extensive investigation of the plaintiff, which culminated in a raid on her house, execution of a search warrant, and her subsequent arrest.

Questions to the Law Enforcement expert and their responses

Please briefly describe your experience and familiarity with criminal investigations similar in scope to this case.

I was a police officer for 27 years of which approximately 20 were dedicated to the investigation and supervision of sensitive and complex criminal investigations. Up until my retirement, I was the investigative bureau commander overseeing the entire investigations operation. I have personally conducted, or have been involved in hundreds of criminal and internal affairs investigations as well as those involving high profile community members, involving a county supervisor and fellow law enforcement officials.

Are you comfortable opining on best practices for conducting criminal investigations and avoiding conflicts of interest?

I am fully comfortable with, and capable of, offering my opinion regarding best practices for conducting criminal investigations and avoiding conflicts of interest. I have reviewed and conducted criminal investigations, and I am completely aware of accepted practices for conducting criminal investigations and avoiding conflicts of interest. Several of these cases involved very high profile and sensitive matters related to officer-involved shootings. Others consisted of internal affairs investigations including one at the federal level.

About the expert

This veteran police over spent nearly three decades with the Los Angeles and Santa Rosa Police Departments. He was an Officer in Los Angeles until 1991 and then served in Santa Rosa until 2015, where he was a Lieutenant and Investigative Bureau Commander. The expert has obtained his B.S. in Criminal Justice from California Coast University and has delivered several presentations in the field. He is a certified SWAT/HNT Commander and a certified National Instructor.

E-079422

Specialties:

Law Enforcement