ANTIOCH, Calif. (AP) — The Antioch Police Department in the San Francisco Bay Area, currently the subject of a federal investigation regarding the exchange of racist and sexist text messages among its members, has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to engage a consultant in an effort to revise its policies, procedures, and training programs across various areas.
In an official announcement, the Department of Justice disclosed that under the terms of the agreement made public on Friday, the Antioch Police Department, along with the City of Antioch, will collaborate to identify and appoint an expert law enforcement consultant approved by the DOJ. This appointed consultant will be tasked with conducting a thorough review and overhaul of the department’s existing protocols related to nondiscriminatory policing, use of force, recruitment and advancement practices, disciplinary measures, and other relevant subjects over the course of a five-year period.
U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California emphasized the importance of maintaining public trust in law enforcement, stating, “Law enforcement is only effective when it inspires public confidence.”
The controversial text messages in question, exchanged within the Antioch Police Department between 2019 and 2022, came to light in 2023 as part of an ongoing federal probe into the department’s operations. The content of these inflammatory messages, though heavily redacted, contained derogatory, racist, homophobic, and sexually explicit language. Officers were found to have boasted about fabricating evidence and engaging in physical violence against suspects, in addition to using derogatory terms such as “water buffalo” to describe women, sharing images of gorillas, and employing racial slurs without restraint.
In response to the revelations, the city of Antioch issued a press statement on Friday acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, stating, “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.”
Antioch, a city with a population of approximately 115,000 residents located about 45 miles (72 kilometers) to the east of San Francisco, has witnessed a demographic shift over the past three decades, evolving from a predominantly white community to a more diverse one.
The proposed partnership between the Antioch Police Department, the City of Antioch, and the Department of Justice to bring about comprehensive reforms in law enforcement practices reflects a concerted effort to address the underlying issues that have emerged within the department. By committing to a process of review, revision, and improvement, the stakeholders involved aim to rebuild trust, uphold accountability, and prioritize community engagement within the realm of policing in Antioch.
