Yesterday, San Diego’s infamous Police Department said it will now embark on an “Early Identification and Intervention System” plan for supervisors, more SDPD officers to the internal affairs unit and review use of force tactics & discipline. That should work.
Why? Yet another San Diego police officer was arrested 3 days ago for a DUI accident in Chula Vista, lawyers are told.
On May 7th, San Diego Police Officer Bill Johnson, with twelve years experience, attorneys are informed, allegedly rear-ended another vehicle at a stoplight in Chula Vista about 11 pm.
Now, because of SDPD Johnson’s drunk driving arrest and a multitude of additional misconduct involving San Diego Police Officers, SDPD Chief William Lansdowne warned of the plan to stop officer misconduct cases today.
On April 14, the Chief confirmed: “It’s certainly an embarrassment to the police department, but it’s certainly not indicative of the great work the officers have done for the past 122 years here in the city of San Diego.”
Nonetheless, San Diego Department police officers now face DUI charges, stalking, sexual battery under the color of authority, etc., accusations.
Here’s the chronological card – so far – if you’ve been following this rash of events:
February: Veteran San Diego police Sgt. Ken Davis is formally charged with one felony and three misdemeanor charges stemming from accusations he stalked a female officer and repeatedly harassed her with unwanted phone calls and other contact. Davis pleaded not guilty, and the judge has allowed him to remain free on his own recognizance. He’s on paid administrative duty.
February 22: A San Diego police officer, whose name has not been released, is under investigation for allegedly causing a traffic accident in Serra Mesa while intoxicated and fleeing the scene. CHP officers said the reporting driver told emergency dispatchers she believed she “was just hit by a DUI driver.”
March 4: A SDPD officer resigned from the department citing personal reasons after he had been suspended without pay and accused of raping a Point Loma Nazarene University student.
March 11: Anthony Arevalos, 40, an 18-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department, is arrested on multiple charges for accused sexual battery, false imprisonment and assault under the color of authority stemming from traffic stops between 2009 and 2011. Arevalos was fired by the department after formal charges were filed.
March 24: A San Diego police officer was taken into custody by San Diego County sheriff’s deputies after a dispute at his home in Imperial Beach. The officer was reportedly arrested on suspicion of domestic battery.
April 11: A 24-year veteran officer is placed under investigation for a dispute with neighbors. The incident reportedly involved the off-duty officer and two teens smoking pot. The San Diego Police Department conducted a personnel investigation, which has been submitted to the San Diego District Attorney’s Office for review. The officer has been placed on paid administrative assignment.
Welcome to May. Should be an interesting summer.