Congressman Mark DeSaulnier and John Garamendi sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting the U.S. Department of Justice investigate the Antioch Police Department (APD) following extremely troubling reports of 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.
“The recent report from the joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office revealed shocking and disturbing text messages and communications involving nearly four dozen former and current Antioch officers. In these messages, officers used racial slurs, shared homophobic and sexist comments, made threats against the Mayor, and revealed blatant violations of citizens’ constitutional rights. In one example, an APD officer admitted that he has falsified police reports to indicate that a suspect confessed when they had not. The messages also reveal disturbing images shared between the officers of citizens they have assaulted in hospital beds, and alarming comments and photos depicting and referencing African Americans as gorillas and monkeys,” the Members wrote.
“From this report, we know that at least 45 officers are involved in the specific text messages referenced, which is over half of the total 99 sworn officers currently employed by the Antioch Police Department. The messages in this report 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.”
“Given the egregiousness of the behavior outlined in the joint FBI and District Attorney’s report and the number of officers involved, we request that the Department initiate a Section 12601 investigation, or any other appropriate investigative or remediation effort, and respectfully request a response to this inquiry by May 5, 2023.”
41 comments
Don’t be surprised when during campaign for reelection both remind voters of their“stand” on this issue.
Merrick Garland? What a joke. He is too busy covering up for Joe and Hunter. Call Buttijudge he would be here in a minute and tell everyone how the police and the streets are racists.
This was predictable, DeSaulnier grabbing a flag and running to the front of the parade to make it look like he is leading. Political tactic 7B in the How to Get Re-elected Handbook.
I’m also looking forward to the DOJ combing through the 1000s of hours of bodycam footage of these police officers being threatened by thugs.
Oh, nothing? Were the thugs just making noncredible threats??
Maybe the Officers were reciting lyrics from a RAP song.
PS: the four Black Memphis police officers who beat that black man to death……..Funny how that all got blamed on huwhite supremacy.
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“Let no ‘crisis’ go unexploited in promoting racial and socio-economic division.”
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… a typical liberal strategy.
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I wouldn’t blame the Antioch cops if they all quit. From what I read there seem to be plenty of LEO jobs open across the nation and Antioch isn’t the most desirable one.
You would hire someone with a bad rap that could bring down your department…?
People can change but I don’t think anyone in the right mind would want to hire people with such poor background
Not every officer was guilty of said crimes genius
with as deep as this issue is claimed to be, the investigation should include that of the very top down. Mayor, Council, City Manager…….
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But, good luck finding a truly fair investigator/team without any agenda, bias, or such…..
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The place is a mess…
Hey Antioch get over it already, cops are not the problem, the cause of the problems and screaming racism in the department isn’t going to do a damn thing but make that whole city go further down into the toilet. Get a clue people…
I agree, hopefully the DOJ will take a look at the Mayor, City Council and City Manager as well, sounds like there’s a lot to dig into.
45 is over half of 99?
Not sure exactly what happened, but it appears some of the officers used poor judgment when sending some texts. What is expected from this is John Burris and local politicians to get it on it with financial opportunities and political pats on the back. Hunter Biden was just using bad judgment. Always be sure to go after for damages of a city, county or state.
How about investigating California’s attempt to have the 3 major utilities impose an “income tax” on our monthly bills for the flat fee component. That certainly violates my civil rights! I trust LE a lot more than I trust politicians…
there is also a move to have a monthly fee added to home loans for the life of the loan where a high credit score gets a higher fee. the intent is that it will offset the default of those with low credit scores which have a higher rate in occurrence.
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Socialism? Communism?
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What happens when they run out of other people’s money?
Garland may be busy with a subpoena of his own regarding lying under oath, yet again.
Certainly there should be no tolerance of police brutality. However it’s quite interesting the way these people treat hate speech as something more egregious than citizens taking a beating from criminals during a robbery.
Well, it didn’t take long for Mark to jump on the bandwagon.
DeSaulnier said, “…we know that at least 45 officers are involved…,” It seems that the good congressman has already made up his mind that all 45 are guilty. Whatever happened to using the word, “allegedly?”
Count on DEMs using antioch to go after Law Enforcement agencies nation wide.
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Wouldn’t be surprised if antioch raises Police signing bonus to $80,000 – $100,000
i’d like to see someone get the military record for Antioch’s shifty Mayor, who left suddenly after eight years in the navy.
I’ve only heard rumors.
Frank I’m not defending anyone but maybe you shouldn’t be spreading rumors until you can verify?
@Itsme
Frank only heard them, he didn’t spread them.
He’s spreading them now.
I would like to see an investigation into why the criminals always seem to be the same.
Perhaps the Pleasanton Home Depot murder can shed some light here. If that had happened inside the Concord Home Depot, we’d be hearing crickets from DeSaulnier and his minions.
Factually speaking, they don’t give a hang about violence and murder of Caucasian victims. Not an altruistic bone in their bodies. Zero. Dead empathy. Soulless.
If there is a hell, it’s fires surely await them. And my humble curse: May they be condemned to an eternity of hate speech, lord knows it makes them so emotional……..
Oh please, let not waste any $ on the investigation because people want to see/hear what they want to see/hear to avoid the reality. You know, like dominion switch vote for Biden. Lol
LOL @ you Paul
Did he get Nancy’s OK first?
If there is an investigation, they need to start at the top.
But they won’t, they’ll pick the easy fruit, come to a predetermined conclusion, and harm a lot of people while not solving the real problem.
As usual – when elections are on the line, all this crap pops up and out.
Where is Swalwell, Weenie-Weiner, Barbara Lee, Lofgren, Eshoo, Skinner, Bonta, and their companion ilk??!! Most people never heard of Bonta until all this “equity” crap floated to the surface!
Garland hopefully will be hung along w/Hunter and daddy Joe!!
Sad when what Yelp says about the Olive Garden is more interesting.
Remember the late great Ken Osmond? (aka “Eddie Haskell”).
He became a cop.
Maybe Mark should bring that up.
That’s a lovely dress you’re wearing, Mrs. Cleaver.
@Dawg
Lol.
I actually find it hysterical that many of the racist text messages and comments on countless blogs and podcasts are directed towards Congressman Mark DeSaulnier.
Yes Mark you…
Antioch- a city to avoid from now on. Crime will increase, especially organized looting.
First they’ll have to find a business that isn’t vacant and boarded up.
Walnut Creek is turning to s*** also.
Shut up and get back in your hole Markie.
I feel a sit-down protest coming on…. wear an old pair of pants Mark.
Not picking sides but my question is how would you feel if your employer without your permission looked at your personal text messages on your personal phone that you pay the bill for? And looked at your coworkers personal messages? That’s what it looks like happened, I would like to know how it was legal for this information to be harvested from personal devices and used against them.
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