By Antioch Police Department

Team Antioch – Join us for an Open House and BBQ Party we are hosting on April 29th. The event will be held from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Antioch Police Department located at 300 ‘L’ Street.

We will have a DJ, photo booth, face painter (so bring the kiddos), police department tours, patrol vehicle and rescue vehicle displays, a drone demonstration, LUNCH, and Antioch Animal Services will have a display along with free pet adoptions.

We cannot wait to spend time with our community! You do not need to RSVP- just swing on by and hangout with us.

Will discuss future relevance of Police Crime Prevention Commission; Chief to give department’s annual 411 on 4-11

By Allen D. Payton

During their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, the Antioch City Council will consider a proposal to hire the next police chief directly instead of the city manager. They will also hear the 2022 Annual Police Department Update from Chief Steve Ford and discuss the “future relevance of the Police Crime Prevention Commission”, now that the council has formed a Police Oversight Commission.

Prior to their regular meeting at 7:00 p.m., the council will meet in Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. on an anticipated lawsuit and real estate negotiations with Con Fire for property located at E. 18th and Wilson Streets. That will be followed by a Budget Study Session at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

Police Chief Hiring by Council Discussion

According to the City staff report on the discussion of the council directly hiring the police chief (Item 5), “City councils are granted wide latitude in deciding how a city will be administered and

operated. The Government Code provides a city council with the statutory authority to appoint and remove the chief of police.”

Antioch currently has a council-manager form of government in which the city manager hires each of the department heads, including the police chief. The council is being asked to “provide direction to staff regarding whether to prepare an ordinance changing the organizational structure of the City’s administration by transferring, from the City Manager to the City Council, the authority to appoint, supervise, and remove the Chief of Police.”

The idea was proposed in 2021 by Mayor Lamar Thorpe, Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson. Furthermore, according to the staff report, “At the November 23, 2021 meeting, former City Manager Ron Bernal prepared a staff report on the City’s “Police Chief Recruitment and Hiring Process”. Councilmember Barbanica made a motion to approve the policy prepared by City Manager Bernal. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Ogorchock, but it failed with only Councilmembers Barbanica and Ogorchock voting in favor of it. Mayor Pro Tem Wilson and Councilmember Torres-Walker voted against the motion. Mayor Thorpe was absent.”

But no additional action was taken on the proposal, until now, following the council placing City Manager Con Johnson on paid leave as well as the two investigations of police officers, one by the FBI and DA’s office for alleged “crimes of moral turpitude” and the other internal investigation for the recently reported alleged racist and other offensive text messages. (See related articles here, here, here and here)

According to the City’s contract with Ford, who started in his permanent position on October 23, 2022, it runs through October 22, 2027. Should the council direct staff to bring back a proposed ordinance for a vote and it was adopted, they could then terminate Ford’s contract.

However, if the council does so without cause, the chief must be given six months advance notice of his termination and following he would be paid a severance of his full salary for up to six months or until he finds “comparable employment” for which he is paid 75% or more of his current $256,272 annual salary plus benefits. If the council fires Ford for cause, then no advanced notice is required, and no severance is required to be paid.

Questions for Council Members

The five council members were asked why the matter is on Tuesday night’s agenda since Ford’s contract lasts until October 2027 and if there are plans to terminate him and hire his replacement. They were also asked, if so, would they pursue a nationwide search for a new police chief, as both Torres-Walker said she wanted, and Thorpe confirmed he would do for a new city manager.

District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock was the only one to respond prior to publication time. She wrote, “Item #5 was a shock to see on the agenda.

I have no intention of firing Chief Ford, nor do I have a desire to request for the Acting City Manager Ebbs to do so either. Chief Ford is doing an amazing job with all the obstacles being tossed at him. He comes to work daily with a positive attitude and a love for the City of Antioch. Chief Ford will handle all these distractions upon completion of the investigation.

We should remind ourselves not to convict individuals until all the facts have been discovered. So many times, we want to shout guilty before all the evidence is presented, we need not to do that.”

As previously reported, Torres-Walker recently offered her public support for Ford. In an April 6th post on her official Facebook page she wrote, “I trust…the Leadership of Chief Ford.”

The meeting can be viewed in person, where public comments can only be offered, or via livestream on the City’s website, on Comcast cable TV channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Following search in Antioch, arrest in Modesto

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

A Pittsburg man faces a four-count felony complaint related to the murder of a convenience store clerk on March 22nd. (See related articles here, here and here)

37-year-old Gregory Rossignon of Pittsburg has been charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office with the murder of 44-year-old Abdul Raouf. Rossignon also faces a charge of discharging a firearm with gross negligence, dissuading a witness by force or threats, and possession of a firearm with prior felony convictions. The murder charge comes with an enhancement for the intentional discharge of a weapon that killed Mr. Raouf and special allegations related to Rossignon’s prior felony offenses.

The incident occurred around 9:40 pm at the E-Z Stop Convenience Food shop on Power Avenue in Pittsburg. An argument between Rossignon’s girlfriend and another employee at the shop occurred. A short time after the disagreement between the clerk and Rossignon’s girlfriend, Rossignon entered the store and shot Raouf – who was not involved in the argument. He died at the scene. Police located and arrested Rossignon in Modesto on April 5th and booked him into the Martinez Detention Facility. His arraignment is set for April 10th in Martinez at 1:30 pm.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office thanks the law enforcement and investigative work of the Pittsburg Police Department in this case.

Case No. 04-23-00555 | The People of the State of California vs. Rossignon, Gregory

Union president included; Thorpe wants review of all complaints over last 6 to 8 years

By Allen D. Payton

According to an East Bay Times article published Friday evening, April 7, 2023, Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Clare Maier, while adjudicating a felony case of suspects arrested by Antioch Police, released the names of 17 officers who are “accused of using racist slurs, jokes and memes in text messages over a period of more than two years.” In addition, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton announced on Friday that the judge ruled to have the texts released to the defense in that case.

In response, Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe posted a Facebook Live video on his official page, Saturday afternoon, April 8, 2023, expressing his “profound disappointment” with the officers and called for an independent audit. He specifically called out the Antioch Police Officers Association (APOA) union president, Lt. Rick Hoffman for being included.

According to the Times’ report, the other officers named include Devon Wenger, Eric Rombough, Andrea Rodriguez, Calvin Prieto, Morteza Amiri who already have been placed on leave amid the FBI investigation. The list also includes Joshua Evans, Jonathan Adams, Scott Duggar, Robert Gerber, Thomas Smith, Brock Marcotte, Aaron Hughes, Brayton Milner, John Ramirez and Kyle Smith, as well as Tim Manly who resigned from the department.

Hoffman, Police Chief Steve Ford and department PIO Ashley Crandell were asked for the timeframe the texts were sent and for any other response. In addition, the APOA’s attorney, Mike Rains was also asked for a response to the situation.

Thorpe’s Remarks

After thanking those who offered their condolences for the recent passing of his father, reading from prepared remarks Thorpe said, “On Friday afternoon, Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Clare Maier released the names of 17 Antioch police officers who allegedly were unafraid to use racist language.

There are no words to express my profound disappointment especially given that one of the named officers serves as president of the Antioch Police Union.

While Antioch has worked hard to become one of the Bay Area’s most racially diverse cities, this will undoubtedly leave an embarrassing stain on our community.

The culture at the Antioch Police Department is a problem and has long been a huge legal and financial liability for the city, which is on full display today.

The culture at the department requires further exploration including how the hell all of this alleged misconduct could go on for so long without anyone on the command staff noticing– lieutenant and above.

Therefore, I’m calling for an independent investigation of the internal affairs process specifically looking at all complaints within the last six to eight years from the nature of complaints to their dispositions.

I am also seriously concerned about complaints that have not been investigated and are now outside of the statute of limitations. I want a complete review of that as well.

Moreover, we need a complete independent audit of our hiring and promotions practices so that the Council can implement measures to better root out individuals with certain biases. This idea was part of my original police reform package that I presented to the City Council in 2020 but has yet to be examined.

Lastly, our police-reform efforts to this point are missing the forest for the trees because this is about culture. I agree with Vice Mayor Tamisha Torres-Walker on conducting some kind of police equity audit of the Antioch Police Department to measure bias in our enforcement efforts and ultimately pursue measures that help eliminate racist policies, practices, and behaviors.

We will hold anyone accountable that has allowed this culture to continue whether you’ve been here for a year or 20 years, and regardless of your rank.

In my first 30 days in office, I had to deal with two in-custody deaths; in less than a year, a failed recall effort fueled by the idea of protecting the police department; then in year two I was hauled into the DA’s office to be briefed about a very serious FBI investigation of the Antioch Police Department; and now, on year three we’re dealing with alleged racism.

Our culture of acceptance is wrong. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

The fact of the matter is that our goal of a strong police department will not materialize until every resident in our city regardless of race and socio-economic background can feel that they have a trusting relationship with our police officers.

If you’re a supporter of law enforcement, you should support these reforms as they help separate officers who are committed to the badge and have played by the rules and those who have no business being police officers.”

One thing the mayor said was incorrect. One of the two in-custody deaths he mentioned referred to Angelo Quinto’s. However, he died in the hospital three days after the incident with police and was not in police custody at the time. (See related article)

Mayor Pro Tem Torres-Walker Responds

In a post on her official Facebook page Saturday afternoon, Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker shared a link to the Times’ article and wrote, “We can no longer be bystanders and action must be taken to correct this culture of racism and anti-blackness in policing starting with Antioch.

I haven’t seen any of the text messages referenced in this article and to be honest I’m not sure I want to. What I will say is that my peers on the City Council and the community at large should take these miscarriages of justice seriously.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge those in the Antioch police department who work hard every day to provide none bias policing service to our community as public safety continues to be our primary concern moving forward.”

In a previous message posted on Thursday, Torres-Walker wrote, “Antioch Police Union Attorney Rains criticized Mayor Lamar Thorpe’s press conference for allegedly violating the right to confidentially and due process for a few officers suspected of crimes against the public while entrenched in a culture of racism.

Chief Ford has taken actions addressing recruitment, assessment, hiring, retention, promotion, and agency culture since April of last year which included a hefty incentive package to bring new talent with a community policing mindset that is culturally responsive.

Willful ignorance can no longer be the order of the day. We can address the public safety needs of Antioch residents, and lift those in law enforcement who are doing their best while holding their counterparts accountable for their roles in how we got here.

I trust my peers on the council to do what is best for the public at this time and the Leadership of Chief Ford.

I ask the public for grace, your prayers, and your support.

We will get through this together.”

Police Chief Steve Ford, the department’s PIO Ashley Crandell, Lt. Hoffman and the other APOA leadership were asked for the timeframe in which the alleged texts were sent and for any other responses. In addition, the APOA’s attorney, Mike Rains and Councilmembers Monica Wilson, Lori Ogorchock and Mike Barbanica were also asked for responses to both the Times’ article and the mayor’s remarks.

APOA Attorney Responds

In response, APOA attorney Rains wrote, “I have been asked by several local television stations for comment, and I am telling everyone that I am not in a position to comment at the moment, because I have not seen any texts, and have not participated in discussions which the DA’s office has apparently had with the court and with counsel for the defendants in the underlying case.  In retrospect, I would have liked to have been involved in such discussions, and believe the individual Officers have legal rights which I do not think were adequately considered, because they did not have a voice, either individually, or through counsel in the discussion. The Chief has ordered the commencement of an investigation of the most recent allegations by an ‘outside’ investigator, and the officers and our office plan to fully cooperate with the investigator and answer all questions.”

UPDATE: Barbanica Says There Must Be Accountability But Premature to Assume Anything Before Investigation is Complete

“Racist statements, racist comments at any level are wrong,” Barbanica stated. “However, I don’t know the content of these text messages. What we should be looking at here is, everyone is entitled to due process. It is premature to assume anything at this point until the investigation is complete. Let’s don’t lose sight that there are many hard-working men and women in the Antioch Police Department who are serving every day to protect this community and I don’t want to assume those under investigation are guilty of anything. If racist statements were made there must be accountability. Let’s wait and see what these texts actually say.”

None of the others responded prior to publication time.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

 

 

“contain unambiguously and historically racist speech directed toward the suspects the officers were investigating.” – DA Diana Becton

By Allen D. Payton

Following a Friday, April 7th ruling by Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Clare M. Maier during a felony court case involving Antioch Police officers, racist texts exchanged by the officers and directed toward the suspects will be disclosed to the defense, District Attorney Diana Becton announced. Several Antioch officers are currently on paid leave and under investigation for alleged racist and other offensive texts, in addition to the remaining seven out of eight officers that have been on paid leave and under investigation by the FBI and DA’s Office since March 2022. One of the eight Antioch officers quit the force. (See related articles here and here)

Becton shared that the judge “urged caution in the distribution of the language and images contained in the texts as they can spark more hatred toward Blacks and Latinos.”

Statement by DA Diana Becton on Disclosure of Racist Texts in Felony Case

Today, Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Clare Maier ruled on the disclosure of information that centers on racist text messages exchanged by Antioch Police officers.

For over a year, the FBI and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office have engaged in a joint federal and state criminal investigation of sworn law enforcement officers from the Antioch Police Department and Pittsburg Police Department. The broad range of offenses under investigation involve crimes of moral turpitude.

Due to the sensitivity and scope of the investigation, a court procedure was established to balance the integrity of the criminal investigation with the disclosure of exculpatory information (i.e., evidence that is beneficial to a defendant).

In accordance with legal precedent, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has been scrupulous in maintaining the balance as the court constructed.

Recently, additional information has come to light in which police misconduct directly overlaps and impacts a charged felony case.

The joint investigation with the FBI has revealed that Antioch Police officers exchanged text messages which contain unambiguously and historically racist speech directed toward the suspects the officers were investigating.

The racial animus expressed by officers in the recovered text messages trigger additional statutory concerns under the Racial Justice Act.

In seeking further direction from the court, the DA’s Office and the defense appeared in front of Judge Maier on April 4th to present information detailing the overlap of the officers’ misconduct and a charged felony case.

In her ruling today, Judge Maier said that the offensive texts in the two investigative reports shall be disclosed to the defense in the charged felony case. She added, the reports will be redacted to shield cell phone numbers and urged caution in the distribution of the language and images contained in the texts as they can spark more hatred toward Blacks and Latinos.

The integrity of the joint investigation and legal requirements for the disclosure of exculpatory evidence is of paramount importance to the District Attorney’s Office. Our office will continue to work tirelessly to ensure public trust and public safety for the residents of Contra Costa County.

Diana Becton

District Attorney, Contra Costa County

Police seek suspects

By PIO Ashley Crandell, Antioch Police Community Engagement Unit

On April 4, 2023, at approximately 7:33 pm, the Antioch Police Department Communications Center began receiving calls regarding a shooting in the 5100 block of Carriage Way. Officers immediately responded to the scene and located an 18-year-old male with suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg.

Responding officers rendered medical aid until medical personnel arrived on scene and transported him to a local hospital. The victim is expected to survive. Through investigation, officers learned multiple unknown subjects were stealing several motorcycles in a driveway and when the victim exited the residence, the suspects began shooting at him.

The suspects were successful in stealing one of the motorcycles. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Duffy at aduffy@antiochca.gov or (925) 779-6884. You may also text an anonymous tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword ANTIOCH.

To reach 30 percent of women in police recruit classes by 2030 to improve public safety, community outcomes, and trust in law enforcement.

By PIO Ashley Crandell, Antioch Police Community Engagement Unit

As Antioch Police Chief Steve Ford committed to doing last week, the Antioch Police Department has signed on to the 30×30 Pledge – a focused effort to improve the representation and experiences of women in law enforcement. The 30×30 Initiative helps policing agencies assess the current state of a department with regard to gender equity, identify factors that may be driving any disparities and develop and implement strategies and solutions to eliminate barriers and advance women in policing.

These actions address recruitment, assessment, hiring, retention, promotion, and agency culture.

The Pledge is the foundational effort of the 30×30 Initiative – a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations who have joined together to advance the representation and experiences of women in all ranks of policing across the United States. The 30×30 Initiative is affiliated with the Policing Project at NYU School of Law and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE).

The ultimate goal of the 30×30 Initiative is to reach 30 percent of women in police recruit classes by 2030, and to ensure policing agencies are truly representative of the jurisdiction the agency serves. While 30×30 is focused on advancing women in policing, these principles are applicable to all demographic diversity, not just gender.

Steven Ford, Chief of Police: “Throughout the history of law enforcement, women have been under-represented in policing. We are making a commitment to join more than 285 law enforcement agencies across the country in a mission to empower women in policing. Not only does this project move us closer to representing the demographic diversity we serve, but it has been proven that women involved in policing have an immensely positive influence on an organization’s culture. Ultimately, this pledge means that Antioch PD is actively working toward improving the representation and experiences of women in our agency.”

“We are grateful to the Antioch Police Department for being one of the first in the nation to commit to being a part of this growing movement” said Maureen McGough, cofounder of the 30×30 Initiative, Chief of Staff of the Policing Project at the New York University School of Law, and former policing expert at the U.S. Department of Justice. “We believe strongly that advancing women in policing is critical to improving public safety outcomes. We look forward to having more agencies follow Antioch PD’s lead by signing the pledge and improving the representation and experiences of women in policing.”

For more information, visit www.30x30initiative.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By PIO Ashley Crandell, Antioch Police Community Engagement Unit

On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at approximately 7:51 pm, an 18-year-old woman was shot on Lone Tree Way at the intersection of Highway 4 near Brentwood. The victim was transported to a local hospital and survived her injuries. Officers learned this was a road rage incident between two unrelated vehicles. One of the occupants of a vehicle involved in the road rage shot at the other vehicle. In doing so, they shot an unrelated occupant of a vehicle nearby. (See related article)

The Antioch Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a person and vehicle of interest in this case. We are asking anyone who drove on Lone Tree Way or was visiting the Slatten Ranch Shopping Center on March 14, 2023, from 7:40 pm to 7:55 pm to check your dashboard cameras.

We ask you to preserve the video and contact Detective Cox at (925) 481-8147 or jcox@antiochca.gov. It is important to note, we are not only looking for video depicting the crime- but any video during that time frame. Also, if you work for a delivery company or saw a delivery vehicle in the area from 7:40 pm to 7:55 pm, please contact Detective Cox with which company.

We want to thank the community for their assistance during the course of this investigation.