About two weeks after a Contra Costa County judge released the names of 17 Antioch police officers accused of using racist slurs, jokes and memes in text messages over a period of more than two years, U.S. Reps. John Garamendi (CA-08) and Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) strongly condemned the language in a statement from a letter they wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Garamendi and DeSaulnier's letter requests the U.S. Department of Justice investigate the Antioch Police Department following troubling reports of alleged racist, homophobic, and illegal conduct by law enforcement officers, demonstrating a pattern of unconstitutional discrimination, use of force, and violations of the constitutional rights of Antioch citizens.
"There is no room for hatred or bigotry in our community," Garamendi said. "The despicable, racist, and immoral statements made by Antioch Police Department officers must be thoroughly investigated by the United States Department of Justice. The recent joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office showed that at least 45 officers were involved in exchanging disturbing text messages, which is over half of the total 99 sworn officers currently employed by the Antioch Police Department.
"The unconscionable messages promising a 'free prime rib dinner' to anyone who shoots Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe with rubber bullets is yet another, somber example of the additional risks Black elected officials endure throughout America as they answer the call to serve their community," Garamendi continued. "The vile characterizations of Black residents as gorillas paint a clear picture of a systemic culture of racism, intolerance, and cruelty at the Antioch Police Department that is unacceptable for those sworn to protect and serve their community."
Garamendi concluded the letter with his sympathies to the residents of Antioch.
The existence of the text messages became known last month as a result of an ongoing federal probe into Antioch and Pittsburg police officers, but recent developments made clear just how many officers are involved in both scandals plaguing Antioch police.
The FBI — which is investigating alleged fraud, bribery, drug distribution and civil rights violations related to the use of force — found the messages after agents served search warrants on a number of officers' homes and showed up at the police department to seize phones and other personal items.
The first offensive messages date to September 2019, and they continued until January 2022 when the phones were seized, Maier said.
Of the officers Maier named, five — Devon Wenger, Eric Rombough, Andrea Rodriguez, Calvin Prieto and Morteza Amiri — already have been placed on leave amid the FBI investigation. A sixth, Tim Manly, has resigned from the department.
Bay Area News Group reporters Nate Gartrell and Judith Prieve contributed to this story.
No comments:
Post a Comment