Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe said at a press conference Thursday that “several” police officers have been placed on administrative leave due to policy violations possibly exposed during a city investigation.
Thorpe indicated the investigation is internal, unlike a current FBI/Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office probe, during which eight officers were suspended (one of whom has since resigned), for alleged civil rights violations and other possible crimes, emphasizing the necessity to hire a reliable private investigator Hong Kong.
Thorpe also wouldn’t specify how many officers have been put on leave and said the possible policy violations likely weren’t being investigated as crimes.
“We have every intention of respecting confidentiality in the process,” Thorpe said. “That being said, we’re also not going to sweep these matters under the rug as we’ve done in the past.”
Thorpe, who wasn’t accompanied by Police Chief Steven Ford, said the situation will likely make Antioch police shorthanded, something that may require the city to look to outside agencies for help. That would cost the city financially, as would additional independent investigations.
“To say that I am outraged is an understatement as it relates to this matter,” Thorpe said.
The mayor wouldn’t say if any of the officers suspended this week are being investigated in the bigger probe, which started more than a year ago, and also did not comment on what actions caused the new round of suspensions, including answering questions about alleged inappropriate text messages.
Thorpe said he hasn’t been briefed by Ford about the matter yet, which he may call for in a public setting.
“If I’m not briefed, I plan — soon — I will be calling a special meeting of the Antioch City Council, where the chief will be our special guest to answer all these questions specifically how we’re going to maintain police service levels,” Thorpe said.
Antioch police spokesperson Officer Ashley Crandell said Ford didn’t have any comment Thursday afternoon.
Thorpe said he wasn’t sure about current police staffing levels. At least eight of the city’s then-57 police officers were under investigation last year for what the District Attorney’s Office said was related to “crimes of moral turpitude” involving Antioch and Pittsburg police officers.
The Pittsburg Police Department has said on social media that the investigation “involves several local police officers, including three current Pittsburg police officers.”
Thorpe said the city has had success recruiting new officer candidates the past year and getting them trained. He didn’t say when they might be ready to join the department, though the City Council may have to authorize more officers to attract more.
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A dirty mayor is going to be dirty. Can’t trust THAT guy.
As I have said before, at least two murders by Antioch PD have been covered up for over a decade.
Private Investigator, Ralph Hernandez, who has fifty plus years in law-enforcement, formerly serving our local communities as a police officer, homicide detective and Antioch City Council member, has been trying to get the D.A. to open murder investigations into both murder cases, but has been denied doing so for over a decade.
Why? Because they have something to hide!
The information Mr. Hernandez has supplied to the D.A. is beyond compelling, yet the two officers, one now a AP detective and tge other now a Newport PD spokesman are free to roam the streets amd murder again. Several other APD officers also had very questionable and troubling claims against them by credible witnesses, yet they too have never been investigated thus held accountable.
It is time all of these bad actors or characters face justice! Mayor Thorpe, Steven Ford and Diana Becton need to open a truly transparent investigation into all of these claims, not just give lip service as they and so many other people in power generally do.
@Sally
George Soros sponsored DA Becton would jump at the chance to charge Officer. Maybe, there no crime or enough evidence.
So the mayor cannot say how many … what crimes … who they are … or anything tangible.
But the mayor can tarnish the Antioch Police Department name. Way to build up those who protect you.
The fact that the Police Chief was not there says a lot about what they think of the Mayor. That sends a message … maybe the Mayor should get facts instead of just conjecture when presenting to the public.
I mean, he was arrested for a DUI. That speaks volumes in and of itself. So, of course, he doesn’t like cops. And his Twitter page calls himself a “soldier in the political revolution.” So, yeah. This is an evil person.
The corrupt officers tarnished the name. The mayor is probably under privacy restrictions. If the department doesn’t like people talking the bad truth they should not be corrupt criminals.
“Thorpe also wouldn’t specify how many officers have been put on leave and said the possible policy violations likely weren’t being investigated as crimes.”
Reading is fundamental, ME. Nothing stated indicated any criminal actions on behalf of these officers. Given the proclivities of this mayor, had there been any criminal accusations it would have been publicized.
Yes, other news sources mentioned the “receiving of homophobic texts”.
I’m SORRY, Nobody has Any control over what Texts are sent to them.
Of course this Mayor is Filled with deflections because of the bang em up job he’s done to the city.
If you do an deep search you might find interesting information.
antioch has had problems for many more than last few years.
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A good manager (politician) makes decisions, delegates then holds responsible those working for them. A good manager (politician) doesn’t make excuses, nor do they play the victim and blame.
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Voters in antioch need to become informed,
elections have consequences and can end up being extremely expensive down the road.
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Stay tuned, “it’s going to be a bumpy ride”.
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As for waiting for the other shoe to drop . . . . . there’s a centipede.
Is The Antioch mayor appointed as Concord is or voted for?
Every organization is a reflection of its leadership. From supermarkets to schools, and from businesses to governments.
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Looks like Lamar’s Antioch is in competition to be the next Oakland.
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It appears the Antioch Police Department is being defunded, with zero transparency as to what these law enforcement people have been accused of.
OR, was it really about getting free TV face time ? ? ? ?
Homophobic texts?!!!
Golly gee…politically incorrect comments?
Build a gallows!
You think crime is bad and rampant in Antioch right now laying off police officers left and right you ain’t seen nothing yet it’s going to be open season in Antioch.
This is ridiculous what’s going on in Antioch you won’t even let police officers do their jobs correctly they are called snowflake patrols and now they’re laying off what officers choose to be a little more tough than the other snowflakes they get in trouble and get laid off it’s ridiculous.
Hopefully they can call in some social workers to deal with the shootings, robberies and burglaries.
If you value your life you may want to avoid Antioch. A drastically reduced police force will allow the thugs to do as they please. I won’t be going to or spending one dime there.
Antioch was once a nice town. Hopefully they can straighten the ship. Hunting for their own PD to persecute is not the way. Good luck attracting new officers to that hive.
Back in late 70s and into 1980s we could leave our doors unlocked.
Now antioch is little more than an open cesspool of crime.
By today there’s been almost 100 burglaries in three months.
Could get away with changing the name to Tent City.
Antioch was never a nice town. It had a bad reputation in the 60s and 70s, just like Pittsburg. The only thing that has changed is the demographics.
Saw this mayor on the news last night. How do these leftist keep getting elected. The new DA in Oakland will end up being a horrible choice. They are all skunks in sheep’s clothing.
So, there’s 57 police officers in Antioch, 8 already suspended and now more. That means that it’s close to +/- 20% of the police force. I guess that ruins the whole “just a few bad apples” theory that we hear so often!
Also, the idea that there are good police officers goes out the window because why didn’t the “good” ones turn in and make arrests on the “bad” ones?
I think it’s time to fire them all!
I have a feeling you don’t live in Antioch.
@ Jay ….. fire them for what?
Attorney for Police officers association has put out a letter.
Other shoe mentioned previously, raining centipede footwear . . . . .
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Hey @sally Jorgensen, there is an anti LE D/A as well as several agencies that oversee PDs and yet no one will use this evidence you say you have. Publish it. Make a website. Call the news.
I think you are full of hot air and have zero.
@Two Wheeler, if you have the guts then call Private Investigator Ralph Hernandez, if you doubt what I say is true. He has personally investigated the murders and every other incident surrounding them along with other egregious acts conducted by other officers of the APD. Look him up and call him. He isn’t hiding from anyone!
By the way, 90% of the APD force consists of great police officers! But like everything else in society, some bad apples do indeed exist!
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