One Business member, two Community members

The Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity (ACEEO) has one vacant Business seat and two vacant Community seats open to applicants. The successful candidate for the Business seat must own a business within the county, and candidate(s) for the Community seats must either work or reside within the county. All candidates must have an interest in equal employment matters. The ACEEO meets on the fourth Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., except for holidays.

The ACEEO assists with the implementation of the County’s Equal Employment Opportunities and Contracting Programs and serves as an advisory committee to the Board of Supervisors. The ACEEO reviews the Equal Employment Opportunities Program and recommends actions to facilitate the attainment of the County’s goals for equal employment opportunities regardless of gender and race/ethnicity.

The Board of Supervisors established the ACEEO on July 9, 1991. The Council has thirteen (13) seats representing the following groups: 4 Community seats; 2 Labor seats; 2 Management seats; 1 Educational seat; 1 Disability seat; 1 Business seat; 1 Veteran seat; and 1 Labor/Trade seat.

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655- 2000 or visiting the County webpage at www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418. Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 1025 Escobar St., 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553. Applications can also be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us.

Applicants should plan to be available for public interviews. For further information about the ACEEO, please contact Antoine Wilson at antoine.wilson@riskm.cccounty.us or (925) 335-1455. You can also visit the web page at www.contracosta.ca.gov/4503/Advisory-Council-on-Equal- Employment-Opp.

Deadline for submittals is April 5th

Walnut Creek, CA – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D, CA-10) announced he will participate in the nationwide 2024 Congressional Art Competition. High school artists living in California’s 10th Congressional District may begin submitting original artwork to his office virtually from now through Friday, April 5th. The winning piece will be selected by a panel of local judges who will view all artwork electronically and announced at a reception to celebrate all participants following the submission deadline.

Participants may submit one photograph or scan of their artwork, taken in the highest possible resolution, to kaylee.deland@mail.house.gov. Submissions must include the Student Release Form. Artwork entered in the contest may be up to 26 inches by 26 inches, may be up to 4 inches in depth, and not weigh more than 15 pounds. If your artwork is selected as the winning piece, it must arrive framed and must still measure no larger than the above maximum dimensions.

• Paintings – including oil, acrylics, and watercolor
• Drawings – including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)
• Collages – must be two dimensional
• Prints – including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints
• Mixed Media – use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
• Computer-generated art
• Photography

All entries must be original in concept, design and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo or image (including a painting, graphic, or advertisement) that was created by someone other than the student is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing).

The rules for the 2024 competition are available here or on House.gov.

“Every year I am so impressed by the talent of the students in our district who participate in the Congressional Art Competition,” said DeSaulnier. “I am pleased to again host this event as an opportunity for young artists to showcase and be recognized for their creativity.”

The competition is open to all high school students living in California’s 10th Congressional District. The winning piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol and the winner will be invited to Washington D.C. to attend a national reception honoring winners from around the country. All submissions must be emailed to Kaylee.deland@mail.house.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. PT on April 5, 2024.

The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Complete contest guidelines and submissions forms are available on the Congressman’s website here. For more information or help submitting artwork, please contact DeSaulnier’s office at 925-933-2660.

Starts Monday, February 26, 2024

“We’re very lucky to have him as our chief.” – Councilman & retired Pittsburg Lt. Mike Barbanica

Police Officers Association “excited to learn” of appointment

Antioch, CA: Acting Antioch City Manager Kwame Reed has selected retired Pittsburg Police Chief William Brian Addington to serve as Interim Chief of Police until a permanent chief is appointed. Chief Addington brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of East Contra Costa County law enforcement to this leadership role. He has a proven track record of leadership and dedication to public safety that are essential to guiding the department during this transitional period. Chief Addington’s first day in the office will be Monday, February 26, 2024.

Chief Addington, who retired in July 2022, understands the challenges and opportunities facing law enforcement in our community. With over a decade of experience as the Police Chief in neighboring Pittsburg, he has demonstrated his commitment to serving the residents of East Contra Costa County with integrity and professionalism.

“We are confident that Chief Addington’s leadership will enhance the safety and security of our community,” Reed said. “His extensive knowledge of local policing issues and his strong ties with the East County community make him the perfect choice to lead the Antioch Police Department during this interim period.”

“Retired Chief Addington will come to Antioch with a strong ability to make tough decisions under difficult circumstances,” said Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe.  “Until the hiring of a permanent chief of police, he’ll work with City Hall to continue to rebuild police staffing levels and decrease 911 response times.”

Addington expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Interim Chief of Police, stating, “I am honored to join the dedicated men and women of the Antioch Police Department. We will work tirelessly – with a renewed focus on serving our community – and upholding the department’s mission of protecting and serving the residents of Antioch with integrity, compassion, and professionalism.”

UPDATE: According to City of Antioch Human Resources Director Ana Cortez, “Interim Police Chief Addington’s compensation will be $128.14 per hour.” That amounts to about $5,125 per week for 40-hours or work.

Councilman & Retired Pittsburg Lt. Barbanica Supports Appointment

When reached for comment District 2 Councilman and retired Pittsburg Police Lt. Mike Barbanica said, “I’m very supportive of Chief Addington. He’s a great addition to the APD. We’re very lucky to have him as our chief. I worked with him for many years at the PPD. In fact, he worked for me when. When I was a Bureau Commander and I had the pick of the list, Brian Addington was my first choice. He was my right-hand person. He’s an outstanding administrator. He’s the right choice.”

“Addington and I worked together ridding the department of corruption, investigating officers who were falsifying arrest reports and we ended up removing the officer from the police department,” the councilman added.

Police Officers Association “Excited to Learn” of Appointment

Antioch Police Officers Association Vice President Sgt. Loren Bledsoe was asked for comment about Addington’s appointment. He responded, “The APOA was excited to learn that Chief Addington was selected for the position of Interim Chief of Police. APD has always shared a strong working relationship with the Pittsburg Police Department, and we look forward to the opportunity to support the mission and vision of Chief Addington here, at APD.”

About Brian Addington

According to a press release from the Pittsburg Police Department when Addington retired, “In 1994, Officer Brian Addington made, what we think, was the best decision of his career. He joined the Pittsburg Police Department after having served for a year and a half with the Suisun City Police Department. That decision left a lasting mark on our department and our Pittsburg community as he rose through the ranks to become our Police Chief serving in that role for the last decade.

Chief Addington started as an officer in patrol on the Strategic Enforcement Team (SET) where he served for several years focused on reducing street-level crimes. From there, he became an undercover detective in the Narcotics Unit. In 1998, he was promoted to Sergeant where he trained and mentored officers in a wide variety of assignments. Chief Addington’s rise through the ranks included a promotion to Lieutenant in 2004 and then Captain in 2010.

He served as our Public Information Officer as well as duties in patrol, training, narcotics, criminal and administrative investigations and so much more.

As Police Chief, he focused on transparency and breaking down barriers between police and the community we’re sworn to serve. His modern approach to law enforcement strategies resulted in both a 10% decrease in crime and more than a 100% increase in diversity among the ranks of the Pittsburg Police Department. These are achievements that will last for decades to come.

Chief Addington brought respect and a broader footprint for the Pittsburg Police Department through his service and leadership in many roles including membership with the FBI National Academy Associates, California Police Chiefs Association, and the International Association of Police Chiefs.”

See a brief video of Addington’s farewell posted on the Pittsburg PD’s Facebook page.

Currently, the City of Antioch is conducting a nationwide search for a permanent city manager, which began Jan. 30. Once hired, the city manager will hire a permanent police chief.

Addington’s Business, Education and Personal Background

According to his LinkedIn profile, since retiring, Addington founded WBA Consulting and Investigations, LLC and is Chief Operations Officer for Vacaville-based Cole Pro Media.

When reached for comment Addington said, “I work part-time for Cole Pro Media which works with law enforcement agencies on communications strategy.”

His profile on the WBA website offers more about his experience and knowledge. “His expertise covers the full range of policing disciplines based on his experiences in a law enforcement agency in California.

Brian provides expert advice on best practices in policing, leadership development, organizational assessments, training, independent investigations, and community engagement and media relations.

Brian has also served as an advisor and consultant to various law enforcement agencies and executives in developing strategies and best practices to address the ever-changing demands placed on law enforcement professionals.”

He was able to retire at age 50 under the previous compensation package for many law enforcement agencies in the state, including the CHP and Antioch Police Department. Addington said he will be 52 in March.

“My intent was always to work after I retired,” he stated.

Addington is married, and together with his wife they have a total of eight children “in a blended family.”

He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in organizational leadership, both from Chapman University. In addition, Addington graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2012 and the California POST (Police Officer Standards and Training program) Command College in 2011.

He’s been a board member with the Pittsburg Police Activities League since 2014.

Asked why he goes by Brian, Addington shared, “My dad was William Calvin Addington, and I’m William Brian. My mom called me Brian. So, I just go by my middle name.”

Addington said he was born in San Gabriel in the L.A. area and his family moved to Concord when he was three years old.

“We then moved when I was eight to Fairfield. So, I grew up in Solano County,” he added.

While he officially starts Monday, Reed was asked if Addington will be sworn in that day or during next Tuesday’s council meeting. He responded, “for the Oath of Office we are planning that now with it being tentatively set some time Tuesday afternoon.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Including State Senate District 9, Assembly District 15 and County Supervisor District 5

Presented by Building Black Political Power of Contra Costa PAC and NAACP East County Branch

By Allen D. Payton

A Candidates Night for those running in State Senate District 9, Assembly District 15 and Contra Costa County Supervisor District 5 will be held this Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Antioch Church Family, 55 E. 18th Street in Antioch. It is presented by Building Black Political Power of Contra Costa Political Action Committee (BPC) and the NAACP East County Branch.

Formed in 2022, according to the organization’s website, “The purpose of Building Black Political Power of Contra Costa, also known as the BPC, is to bring attention to the issues affecting the Black community. We want to make sure black voices are heard, on the issues that matter to the black community. We will provide the public with information on current issues facing the Black community and share candidate positions on those current issues. We will contribute to the support of candidates for local, state, and federal office whom we believe, and who have demonstrated their beliefs in, the principles to which Blacks are dedicated. The BPC will work in general to protect and advance the interests of Blacks by supporting qualified candidates for federal office, regardless of party affiliation, who understand and are sympathetic to these goals. To further these purposes, the BPC will be empowered to solicit and accept personal contributions from the public that may then be expended to support the campaigns of a variety of candidates.”

The organization is a political action committee with both a California Fair Political Practices Commission ID, #202250618736 and a Federal Election Commission ID, #88-222344130. It was formed in 2022 by nine people, including former Antioch School Board Trustee Alonzo Terry and Odessa Lefrancois, President of the NAACP East County Branch, PAC President Frances Green, PAC Vice President Crystal Sawyer-White, also a former Antioch School Board Trustee, Treasurer Victoria Adams and another former Antioch School Board Trustee Debra Vinson, who along with Dr. Lamont Francies and Willie Mims are founding board members, as well.

Lefrancois said the PAC hasn’t yet raised or spent any funds. “We’re starting to raise funds, now for this election cycle, beginning in March,” added Dr. Payton.

For more information about the NAACP East County Branch visit their website at eastcountynaacp.org.

Following wiretap investigation into East Bay drug suppliers and significant seizures of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and cash

Attempt to use FBI investigation of APD officers as a defense denied

Third man convicted is illegal alien from Mexico; among 13 defendants indicted in 2019

Each face maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for every count on which they were convicted

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal jury has convicted three defendants—Luis Torres Garcia, Evan Martinez Diaz of Bay Point, and Timothy Peoples of Antioch—of multiple drug trafficking offenses following an eight-day trial, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), San Francisco Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark. The jury convicted the defendants on all counts, rendering its verdict on February 14, 2024, after deliberating for two hours. The verdict followed a trial before the Hon. Richard Seeborg, Chief U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California.

The three were among 13 defendants indicted in May 2019 “on narcotics trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Chris D. Nielsen.  The indictment follows the arrest of five of the defendants on April 30, 2019, and the execution of search warrants at thirteen locations, including nine residences in Contra Costa County, Humboldt County, Fairfield, Suisun City and Modesto.” (See related article)

The evidence at trial included calls intercepted between April 2018 and February 2019 as part of a federal wiretap investigation into two drug suppliers in the East Bay. The intercepted calls established, among other things, that both suppliers received drugs from sources in Mexico. At trial, the government also presented evidence of several significant drug seizures including: 8.8 pounds of fentanyl and heroin in May 2018, valued at as much as $1.1 million, according to uncontested evidence at trial; 18 pounds of methamphetamine in August 2018; and 20 pounds of methamphetamine and one kilogram of cocaine in February 2019. The evidence at trial also established that law enforcement seized more than $300,000 in drug-related cash over the course of the investigation.

Peoples, 44, of Antioch, California, was arrested after law enforcement officers found cocaine in his home, and charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)–(C). Evidence presented at trial showed that Peoples was a regular customer of an Antioch-based cocaine wholesaler from whom he bought some 10.5 pounds of cocaine for more than $120,000 in a 90-day period. Peoples used the codeword “babies” to refer to ounce quantities of cocaine. The evidence at trial established that Peoples then sold cocaine to his own customers in smaller quantities and used his proceeds to buy expensive cars.

Attempt to Use FBI Investigation of Antioch Police Officers to Defend Himself Denied

According to the judge’s opinion, “In the course of the federal law enforcement investigation in this case, the Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (“ATF”) were assisted by officers from the Antioch Police Department in executing search warrants and evidence collection, the bulk of which occurred in 2018 and 2019. Since then, several Antioch police officers have been accused of, and indicted for various crimes, including civil rights violations and wire fraud.” (See related articles here and here)

During the court case, “Peoples insisted that the federal case against the Antioch officers was relevant because two members of the Antioch Police Department accused of misconduct were present at the search of Peoples’ home on April 30, 2019.”

The opinion continued, “The defendants previously filed a discovery motion to compel production of impeachment material related to Antioch police officers who assisted with the DEA and ATF investigation of the defendants in the instant case. That motion was denied.”

“An evidentiary hearing was set to determine threshold matters in relation to the motion. Having considered the parties’ briefs, witness testimony, and admitted exhibits from the hearing, the government’s motion is granted, and the defendants are prohibited from referencing the federal investigation of any Antioch police officers.”

The opinion provided background to Peoples’ claim and the judge’s denial.

“Anticipating the issue would reappear at trial, the government filed MIL No. 12 to prevent the defendants from referencing Antioch police misconduct in the presence of the jury without first establishing relevance for fear that this would result in undue prejudice to the government. Dkt. (Docket) 489. In response, Peoples suggested that witnesses and the DEA-6 report regarding the search of Peoples’ home, authored by DEA Agent Mikhail Job, identified Antioch officers accused of misconduct as having participated in the April 30, 2019, search of Peoples’ residence.

Shortly before the pretrial conference, Peoples submitted a supplemental opposition to MIL No. 12 with information he and the government had just learned. Dkt. 521. In that supplemental opposition, Peoples contended that Agent Job had identified Antioch Officer Morteza Amiri, who has since been indicted on wire fraud charges and civil rights violations, as having entered Peoples’ residence alone for five to ten minutes along with his police dog after the occupants had been cleared out and before the official search began. Peoples also suggested that Antioch Officer Kyle Smith, who allegedly exchanged racist texts with other Antioch officers, joined the search of Peoples’ home. The government filed a supplemental response contending that Agent Job received erroneous information from the DEA case agents and had mistakenly named the wrong Antioch officers on his DEA-6 report. Dkt. 528. According to the government, Officers Amiri and Smith were not present at the search of Peoples’ home but were participating in the contemporaneous search of Defendant Lorenzo Lee’s residence. At the pretrial conference, the threshold question of whether Amiri was present at the search of Peoples’ home remained unresolved. The only potential relevance of the Antioch officers’ misconduct turned on whether Amiri and/or Smith were present at Peoples’ residence such that Peoples could infer the police planted evidence.”

Furthermore, “Peoples failed to establish that a jury could reasonably find that Amiri was present at Peoples residence on April 30, 2019 by a preponderance of evidence. At the evidentiary hearing, both sides admitted several witnesses and exhibits, and the government’s evidence was considerably more persuasive. The government’s witnesses included several law enforcement agents who corroborated their version of the events on the day in question. The testimony of two Antioch officers, Kevin Tjahjadi and Brayton Milner, who participated in the search of Peoples’ residence, was particularly persuasive. Both stated unequivocally that neither Amiri nor Smith joined in that search. The Antioch Police Department CAD reports regarding the search of Peoples’ residence further supported this version of events, identifying only Tjahjadi and Milner as the participating officers.”

Martinez Diaz, 31, of Bay Point, California, was charged with three counts—conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B); possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B); and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B). The evidence at trial established, among other things, that on February 9, 2019, Martinez Diaz was transporting about 20 pounds of methamphetamine and one kilogram of cocaine through a residential neighborhood in Antioch, California, when he realized he was being followed by law enforcement—which knew about the drugs through intercepted calls. Martinez Diaz began driving erratically, briefly evading law enforcement and directing a co-conspirator to discard the drugs he was carrying in the bushes on a residential street. A short time later law enforcement located the drugs, which evidence at trial established had street retail values of $177,860 (methamphetamine) and $40,000 (cocaine). After Martinez Diaz was stopped by police and released with a traffic citation, he was intercepted on a call telling his supplier that he had seen law enforcement and discarded the drugs to avoid arrest. (See judge’s opinion)

Torres Garcia, 38, an illegal alien from Mexico, residing in Rio Dell, California, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A). The evidence at trial showed that Torres Garcia was a Humboldt County drug trafficker, who used the nickname “Guero.” Torres Garcia received methamphetamine shipments on credit from a Fairfield, California-based drug supplier. On August 8, 2018, the Fairfield supplier attempted to send about 18 pounds of methamphetamine—valued at $158,000—to Torres Garcia in Humboldt County. DEA agents and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office intercepted the drug courier and seized the drugs during a vehicle stop on Highway 101 near Healdsburg, California. In February 2019, the DEA tracked Torres Garcia to a meeting in Windsor, California, where Torres Garcia delivered about $13,800 in cash to a courier for his drug supplier. Although he was present throughout the trial and listened to closing arguments, Torres Garcia absconded before the jury handed down its verdict; he is now a fugitive. (See judge’s opinion)

According to the judge’s opinion, “Luis Garcia-Torres, defendant, an alien who had previously been deported or removed from the United States to Mexico on or about May 19, 2016, was found in the Eastern District of Texas, said defendant not having received the express consent of the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security, the successor, pursuant to United States Code, Title 6, for re-application for admission to the United States, all in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a).”

Sentencing Hearing June 11, 2024

Judge Seeborg scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 11, 2024. Torres Garcia faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. Martinez Diaz and Peoples each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for every count on which they were convicted. However, the defendants’ sentences will be imposed only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Pastor and Joseph Tartakovsky prosecuted the case with the assistance of Erick Machado. This prosecution is the result of an investigation led by the DEA Oakland Resident Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the police departments in Fairfield, Antioch, Concord, and Oakland; the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office; and the California Highway Patrol.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

All Contra Costa County Libraries will be closed February 19 in observance of Presidents’ Day.

By Brooke Converse, PIO, Contra Costa County Library

The Antioch Library will reopen for regular hours of operation on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

The Contra Costa County Library announced the temporary closure of the Antioch Library on February 16, citing repeated dangerous incidents over the last few months that have threatened the safety and security of patrons and staff.  (See related article)

After consultation with the County Administrators Office and County Counsel, the Library was able to negotiate an emergency contract to provide a private armed security guard and patrol car to monitor the parking lot and library property. The Library already has a private security officer inside the branch during all library open hours.

“The Library will also be working with Contra Costa Public Works to repair and reinforce the security fence and to upgrade the security camera system,” said County Librarian Alison McKee. “The Library will be in close contact with the City of Antioch about how they can best support the safety of library patrons, staff and the surrounding neighborhood.”

Library services at the Antioch Library, including holds and the book drop, will be available beginning at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20.

The safety of patrons and staff will continue to be a top priority for the Library.

Hours

To see the regular hours for the Antioch Library at 501 W. 18th Street click, here and for the Prewett Library in the Antioch Community Center at Prewett Family Park, 4703 Lone Tree Way, click, here.

About the Antioch Library

The staff at Antioch Library welcomes you. Our 11,000 square foot space houses a large collection of materials selected with the Antioch community in mind. New materials arrive just about every week and whether you are searching for a bestseller or classic work, popular DVD, or audiobook to ease the daily commute, you’re likely to find it here. Exciting programs abound for all ages and are sponsored by the Friends of the Antioch Library. Local history resources and a growing Spanish language collection round out the collection. Additionally, Project Second Chance staff and volunteers are ready to assist with adult literacy needs. Free access to the internet delivered through our network of new computers satisfies any number of information searches.

About the Prewett Library

Opened in January 2011, the Prewett Library is located within the Antioch Community Center. Prewett is an “express library” where customers can pick up their requested materials as well as browse through nearly 9,000 items including bestsellers, teen books, magazines, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, and materials for children. The library offers free Wi-Fi, has one Early Literacy workstation for children and is adjacent to the Antioch Community Center’s technology lab which houses 25 computers.

“They’ve been a massive failure…They have no credibility with anybody because they take on the role of being anti-police…It gives them a forum. They enjoy it. They get to grandstand.” – APOA attorney Mike Rains

“We look forward to the opportunity to work with the new Oversight Commission” – APOA VP Sgt. Loren Bledsoe

By Allen D. Payton

In response to the appointment of the seven members to the City of Antioch’s new Police Oversight Commission this past week, Antioch Police Officers Association attorney Mike Rains, who says his firm represents about 180 police associations throughout California, shared his extensive thoughts and concerns about the commission, the city’s government and police department.

“I didn’t know the people who they appointed. I guess, knowing it’s Antioch, they’re not going to appoint anyone who will be fair to police,” he stated. “It’s meaningless, ritualistic crap. That’s all you can say about this new commission.”

“I’ve been dealing with civilian review of police for 40 years. Antioch is no different. It can be effective and can work but only if those who sit in review of the police actions are fair and objective in evaluating the evidence. But what has happened, almost everywhere, is selecting people to the position who have an agenda,” Rains stated. “They think they sit on the panels to be advocates for their own personal agenda. They’ve been a massive failure.

They have no credibility with anybody because they take on the role of being anti-police.”

Says Oakland Police Commission Decisions Overruled Most of the Time

During his arguments in favor of forming the new commission, Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe mentioned the police commissions in San Francisco and Oakland as examples. Rains shared his experiences with one.

“Take a look at the Oakland Police Commission. They’re in complete disarray. Nobody pays attention to them. City officials overrule them most of the time,” he stated. “In the few cases the city officials succumb to the pressure, and discipline was imposed, we took them to arbitration, and it was overturned because it was unfair, and no arbitrators would uphold them.”

“Like in Berkely, they’ve had the same model,” Rains shared. “It gives them a forum. They enjoy it. They get to grandstand. It gives them their one day of glory in a hearing.”

Antioch’s Commission Only Advisory

But unlike the police commissions in the larger cities in the Bay Area and elsewhere, which are charter cities, because Antioch is a general law city, as previously reported, the Police Oversight Commission does not have the same powers and can only serve in an advisory role to the city council. Rains called it, “A meaningless process.”

“As if any of these folks know about police policy. It’s going to be their personal philosophy without any knowledge at all of what universally is accepted for police practice,” he continued. “I’m sure it’s going to be a joke. Everything coming out of Antioch is, right now.”

About the City Government & Mayor

Rains then turned his attention to how the city’s government is being operated.

“The city is severely mismanaged, and they keep running it into the ground,” he stated. “It’s indicative of what Mayor Thorpe has been doing. The mayor won’t let the police chief run the department and that’s how it’s been since Chief Ford was there.”

“Lamar Thorpe and his cronies, they can’t run it. That’s what’s causing the disfunction,” Rains continued. “They continue to do this crap and think these little ‘show and tells’ like this police commission thing will show they’re competent. But they’re incompetent. Instead of hiring competent department heads to run the city.”

“It’s sad for the people of Antioch,” stated Rains, who doesn’t’ live in the city. “They need to vote out all these people and elect people who are smart and care and don’t have a personal agenda that will dominate their decision-making.”

About the Police Department

He then spoke about the police department where his clients, the members of the APOA work.

“I feel sorry for the cops who work there, still,” Rains shared. “I think they should just leave en masse because of the lack of leadership at all levels in city hall. They need to let the police chief do his job.”

“My office represents over 180 police associations in the state and Antioch is the only one where the police chief has been deprived of running his own department,” he stated. “It’s being run by the city attorney, the mayor and possibly the acting city manager, and the human resources director. Why would anyone want to work there?”

When pointed out that the mayor claims 16 new sworn officers have been recruited to the department since the council approved the hiring incentive package Rains said, “They’re probably not going to be able to retain officers. I think officers, if they come there, it doesn’t take them long to see what’s going on, because the city is running it into the ground, and they want out. There are other departments that are competent with competent leadership and they’re going to go there.”

“The public needs to know the mayor and the city attorney, his ally, have done the people a disservice in the way they’ve run that place into the ground,” Rains added.

APOA Willing to Work With New Commission

APOA Vice President Sgt. Loren Bledsoe offered a different response to the formation of the commission and appointment of the seven commissioners. When asked for comment he wrote, “We look forward to the opportunity to work with the new Oversight Commission to develop strategies to improve public safety. As a strong believer in the concepts of 21st Century Policing, I look forward to this opportunity and hope it will only strengthen relationships with the community.”

Hernandez-Thorpe, Smith Offered Opportunity to Respond

An email was sent to both Hernandez-Thorpe and City Attorney Smith Saturday afternoon with a link to the article offering each the opportunity to respond to Rains’ claims. Neither had responded as of Saturday night.

UPDATE 1: Rains Commends APOA’s Comments

However, after reading the article, Rains shared additional comments saying, “After seeing the comments by Loren Bledsoe, I commend him for extending an olive branch to the new commission and indicating the POA’s desire to work in a cooperative fashion with them.”

“As the attorney for the association, I do not have the same optimistic view that a cooperative and harmonious relationship can be established,” Rains continued. “But if anybody can do it, Loren Bledsoe can on behalf of the association, And I commend him for his comment and his attempt to work things so that the commission can function objectively and effectively and make the lives of the citizens of Antioch better and to make the working lives of the cops in Antioch better, as well.”

Please check back later for any updates to this report.