Torrance Police Department Enters Reform Agreement Following Scandal
The Torrance Police Department, in collaboration with the California Attorney General’s Office, has reached an “enforceable agreement” to initiate reforms within the agency. This decision comes on the heels of a scandal that has revealed numerous criminal cases involving officers exchanging racist text messages.
Attorney General Rob Bonta outlined the reforms, which include modifications to agency policies and practices aimed at reducing biased use of force.
Bonta suggested that former Torrance Police Chief Jeremiah Hart approached him after the scandal erupted in 2021, leading to these joint reform efforts.
“The Torrance Police Department has shown its commitment to self-reflection and addressing systemic challenges,” Bonta stated on Thursday.
In December 2021, the California Attorney General’s Office released its investigation into the Torrance Police. This coincided with a Times report that revealed the identities of many executives involved in the disturbing text exchanges. Court documents acquired by the Times indicated that officers had made derogatory remarks, including jokes about inflicting harm on various groups, including Jews and members of the LGBTQ community.
Offensive comments directed at Black individuals were particularly egregious. Officers repeatedly referred to Black men and women using derogatory terms, including variations of the n-word. In one instance, an officer shared unsettling instructions on how to tie a rope and posted a photo of a stuffed animal hanging from police headquarters. Another message referenced the family of Christopher DeAndre Mitchell, a Black man shot by Torrance police in 2018.
At times, the texts revealed officers fantasizing about violence against Black individuals, including children. One officer even shared an image implying the burial of a Black child.
Investigations showed that between May 2018 and February 2022, about 12 officials were involved in the thread. Former officer Brian Kawamoto was quoted suggesting a return to a “greater” Torrance, evoking President Trump’s campaign slogan.
According to records assessed by the Times in 2022, some of the officers linked to the text thread were associated with serious incidents, including multiple homicides in Torrance. While prosecutors revisited Mitchell’s case and charged two officers with manslaughter, initial assessments had deemed their actions justified.
David Chandler is facing trial for a separate incident involving the shooting of a Black man. Five officers related to the text thread have faced criminal charges.
The scandal also involved former officers Cody Weldin and Michael Tomsick, accused of vandalism for spray-painting a racial slur on property. Although a hate crime investigation was initiated, these acts led to investigations concerning the racist text messages.
This year, both Chick and Weldin pleaded guilty to vandalism and relinquished their rights to serve as police officers. Disciplinary records identified Weldin as a primary participant in the group texts, which were informally dubbed “boys.”
Bonta emphasized the significance of “cooperative reform” for the Torrance Police Department. Often, the Attorney General’s Office and Los Angeles authorities will pursue court-mandated reforms if compliance isn’t met, which allows a judge to enforce necessary changes.
In the wake of these events, interim Police Chief Bob Dunn has expressed optimism regarding reforms in the department. He’s mentioned that their handling of police pursuit and serious incidents has evolved, with the aim of improving training to ensure better practices in the future. Additionally, a Chief Advisory Committee has been established to address community concerns, including allegations of bias.
