A San Francisco Bay Area police department currently under federal investigation for allegedly sharing racist and sexist text messages has agreed to bring in a consultant to overhaul its policies, procedures and training, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Monday.
Why It Matters
The DOJ previously launched a probe into the text messages shared among members of the Antioch Police Department between 2019 and 2022.
The heavily redacted text messages reportedly revealed inflammatory language, including racist, homophobic and sexually explicit remarks. Officers from the Antioch Police Department were found boasting about fabricating evidence and assaulting suspects. They referred to women using derogatory terms like water buffalo, circulated images of gorillas and frequently used racial slurs.
What To Know
Under an agreement announced Friday, the Antioch Police Department and the City of Antioch will collaborate with a DOJ-approved law enforcement consultant to revise and improve policies on nondiscriminatory policing, use of force, hiring, promotions and disciplinary practices.
The controversial text messages exchanged by members of the department came to light in 2023 amid a federal investigation into the department’s practices.
“The department launched its investigation after the public disclosure of discriminatory text communications that dozens of APD personnel allegedly exchanged between September 2019 and January 2022,” the Justice Department said. “In response to the investigation, APD, the City of Antioch and the City Manager worked cooperatively with the department to reach a resolution agreement embodying a commitment to nondiscrimination in APD’s policing operations and advancing its ongoing efforts to prevent and address discriminatory law enforcement practices.”
Located 45 miles east of San Francisco, Antioch is home to 115,000 residents. Once a predominantly white community, the city has seen significant diversification over the past three decades.
What People Are Saying
U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California said in a statement: “Law enforcement is only effective when it inspires public confidence…A police department that discriminates based on race and other protected classes undermines both public safety and public confidence. Today’s agreement will help ensure that policing in Antioch is done constitutionally and will help restore public trust.”
The city of Antioch also issued a statement last week saying: “The actions that led to this investigation were unacceptable and represent significant failures…Our commitment to creating a transparent, accountable, and community-focused Police Department remains steadfast.”
“Our collaboration with the USDOJ underscores our dedication to fostering trust, transparency, and accountability within our Police Department. Under this five-year agreement, we will implement and strengthen sound policies, training programs, community participation and oversight mechanisms to ensure officers act with integrity and justice, and that any misconduct is addressed quickly and effectively,” the city said.
What’s Next
The reforms reached in the agreement will be implemented over a five-year period.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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