The city of Antioch is searching for its third acting police chief in less than 18 months, following a Department of Justice investigation into the police department's handling of racist text messages from officers. Residents express concerns about leadership and the ability to address the department's deep-rooted issues.
Antioch is about to get yet another acting police chief. That person, yet to be named, will be the third acting chief in less than a year and a half. This comes on the heels of the city coming to an agreement with the Department of Justice which puts its police department under federal oversight.The DOJ launched an investigation into the police department after the public disclosure of police officers' racist text messages.
Residents raised concerns about who will be the next acting chief and if that person has the ability to solve the department's problems.City leaders plan to name the new acting chief on Tuesday morning, the third one since Police Chief Steven Ford retired in August 2023. 'Why have we had so many interim police chiefs? Why haven't they selected a permanent police chief?' questioned Ralph Hernandez, a former Antioch city council member. Hernandez said he worked in law enforcement for more than three decades, including the Pittsburg and Half Moon Bay police departments.He was also an investigator for the Contra Costa County District Attorney's office. 'We need a kick-ass type, even an interim police chief' to address Antioch's many serious problems, Hernandez said.Under the five-year agreement with the DOJ, the police department will hire an expert law enforcement consultant. 'They do need oversight, and they do need a chief that's going to come in here. And like I said, be empathetic, transparent,' said Kathryn Wade, an Antioch resident.She said her son, 29-year-old Malad Baldwin, was the victim of police brutality by Antioch police officers on multiple occasions.He died after an unrelated medical episode in 2021.Wade said the DOJ interviewed her twice during its investigation into the police department. She hopes that the new interim chief and eventually a permanent chief will listen to the community's concerns,'This community really needs healing,' she said
POLICE BRUTALITY FEDERAL OVERSIGHT RACIST TEXT MESSAGES ACTING POLICE CHIEF COMMUNITY CONCERNS
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