Civil rights attorneys John Burris and Ben Nisenbaum said they sent a letter last week to the United States Justice Department (DOJ) and the United States Attorney of San Francisco, requesting they investigate allegations of civil rights violations against the Antioch Police Department.
The attorneys represent 13 plaintiffs so far in two lawsuits against Antioch police, alleging civil rights violations, among other allegations.
The lawyers said in a statement Sunday “Our belief is that the department, through its officers and command staff, is engaged in systemic practices of racial, homophobic, and antisemitic policing.”
The California Attorney General’s Office, the FBI, and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office are already investigating Antioch police, the latter two for at least a year-and-a-half.
Much of those investigations revolve around chains of racist and homophobic text messages involving at least 45 of the department’s approximate 100 officers.
Some of the messages involved threats against Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe, who is Black, and other African Americans and people of color, including recently retired police chief Steven Ford.
Many of the texts showed officers using racist language and describing police violence against suspects. Dozens of officers have been suspended, at least one has been fired, and the city is scrambling to fully staff its ranks.
At least one officer has already been charged with crimes in connection with the texts, and more charges are expected. Charges have already been dropped in at least two cases involved accused officers and suspects who were people of color.
Burris and Nisenbaum’s statement hinted at more plaintiffs willing to come forward.
“We have interviewed at least 140 others who claim that they also have been subject to multiple constitutional violations by Antioch police officers for years,” the statement said.
“Overall, the majority of Antioch police officers appear out of control and with no institutional accountability to monitor their conduct. John Burris believes that ‘the officers represent a clear and present danger to the citizens of this community and must be stopped now.'”
Burris and Nisenbaum called for the DOJ to institute a consent decree against the department, forcing it to adhere to new policies and procedures for accountability, with a federal monitor to oversee the reforms.
I was wondering when we would hear from Johnny Burris. He’s been quiet lately. With criminals running wild and police departments short staffed, it’s getting more difficult for the ambulance chasers and buzzards to pick through the leftovers.
Burris smells blood in the water.
No, he does not care about blood. He smells for and homes in on money. He wants to get hired to install “institutional accountability.”
John Burris believes that ‘the officers represent a clear and present danger to the citizens of this community and must be stopped now.’”
Actually no discipline from the community and the city ends up where Antioch is. It is not the fault of the police. Burris is one of the problems. Same problem all over the country. Pretty soon there will be no police.
Still waiting to see some examples of these texts in their full context. Until then, I am going to believe the cops are innocent.
How does Burris figure he can make Antioch safer. When he leaves town Antioch will be closer to Oakland. These people will never figure it out I’m afraid.
Nobody wants to be an officer in that kind of environment. Lawsuits will stack up now and Burris
will emerge the hero. Crime will continue on it’s upward trajectory.
Vallejo issued a state of emergency due to lack of cops!
ANON,
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The problem with City of Vallejo and the Vallejo Police Department has been going on for years, and those problems are far greater than the number of police officers they have. The excessive force claims currently filed against the Vallejo Police Department are estimated to cost the city $50 million and the city budget is projected to see growing deficits each year for at least the next decade.
Wait a min they cracked edgy mean jokes oh boy what a travesty. What a bunch of wimps who cares. I’m more interested in looking at the voter registry to match the votes cast in the last election and to check citizenship in case the rumors of illegals and felons voting are true.
I guess Burris Lost the war against Oakland PD when the NAACP called for a ‘State of Emergency’, so now he has the race Hustle and shake down other cities.
Also, did anyone notice the SILENCE regarding the question: were these Department issued cell phones or the Police Officers Personal cell phones?
What is stopping the criminals at the FBI from scrutinizin Your personal texts???
ANON,
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If those texts were sent from personal phones while they were on duty they can be considered “creating a government document,” which then can expose the contents of the phone to the public. Most, if not all, government agencies have policies banning the use of personal phones while on duty. If they’re department issued phones then the public should be able to see the contents of the phone.
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Burris and Nisenbaum are race-baiters and are the lowest forms of life.
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All attorneys/lawyers are scum. They’d lie to and cheat their own mothers if it meant winning their case.
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It’s not about justice … It’s about ‘winning”.
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Yep my sister is married to a pharma lawyer, the idiotic crap spewed out of their mouths for the last 2 1/2 years came to an EPIC conclusion with them getting COVID, it was hilarious and karma all at once!
DOJ needs to investigate DOJ !!!
This is a good one, today Acting Antioch Police Captain Joseph Vigil was named Acting Antioch Chief of Police by Acting City Manager Kwame Reed, effective August 12, 2023.
They should look into Burris first…