(CNS) California’s Attorney General’s Office opened an independent review of the Torrance Police Department on Wednesday, following revelations of racist text messages shared among a group of officers for years that could lead to the dismissal of hundreds of criminal cases in which the officers were involved.
“Police departments are on the front lines of that fight every day as they work to protect the people of our state,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.
“However, where there is evidence of potentially pervasive bias or discrimination, it can undermine the trust that is critical for public safety and our justice system.
“I applaud (Torrance Police) Chief Jay Hart for being willing to engage with my office to tackle these concerns head-on. Now is a time for swift action to identify the facts, take corrective measures where appropriate, and work toward community healing.”
The announcement came on the heels of a Los Angeles Times investigation that found a long history of racist text message exchanges involving at least a dozen Torrance officers, including one message that included a photo of Black men being lynched, with the caption, “hanging with the homies.”
According to The Times, other texts targeted Jewish people, while also joking about using violence against suspects and lying during investigations into police shootings.
The Times report suggested the scandal could jeopardize hundreds of criminal cases involving the officers who allegedly took part in the racist exchanges. According to the paper, at least 85 criminal cases involving the officers have already been dismissed.
In a statement released through Bonta’s office, Hart said, “As police chief of the Torrance Police Department, I am committed to accountability, and I will not tolerate any form of bigotry, racism, hate, or misconduct. In partnership with Attorney General Bonta, I will ensure that needed changes are implemented to regain the public’s trust and confidence.”
Bonta said Hart contacted his office for assistance. The review will be conducted by the California Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Enforcement Section, with the assistance of Division of Law Enforcement.
{Matzav.com}
We really have no friends in the world. The world wants us annihilated.
Oh, so this is what the imbecilic AG is concerned about?! You’ve got all the major cities in his forsaken State, with their all time highest crime rate, and this little worm focuses his pea brain attention on some “hurtful” texts??? His State is burning to the ground, but he’s going to make sure to punish whitey. The voters in California are clearly the dumbest people to ever crawl on this earth.
Not surprising. California is full of leftist, woke, intolerant and stupid snowflakes.
That’s the only snow California ever sees- and it’s a blizzard all year round.