Three San Diego Police Officers Arrested in Under a Month
Two SDPD officers were detained at a concert on Aug. 1 for disorderly conduct; a lieutenant was arrested on Aug. 23 for domestic violence. The department has launched internal investigations into all three.
Three SDPD Officers Face Criminal Charges Within Three Weeks
Three San Diego Police Department officers have been arrested over the span of three weeks, Google News MT — Crime (en) reports, prompting the department to open internal investigations alongside the ongoing criminal proceedings.
The first incident occurred on 1 August at Snapdragon Stadium, where a Zach Bryan concert was taking place. Officers from the San Diego State University Police Department detained two SDPD officers — Detective Amanda Allen and Homeless Outreach Officer Francisco Diaz — after they appeared to be intoxicated in public. Both were transported to San Diego County Jail on a charge of disorderly conduct. SDSU's police department later clarified that, under California law, the matter is classified as a detention rather than a formal arrest, and that no criminal charges were filed. SDPD confirmed the incident and placed both officers on administrative duty.
Three weeks later, on 23 August, Lt. Ruben Gutierrez was arrested by Chula Vista Police on suspicion of domestic violence. Court documents show he has been charged with battery of a spouse; his bail was set at $10,000. Gutierrez has been placed on administrative assignment and his police powers have been removed, according to an SDPD spokesperson.
Lt. Cesar Jimenez, speaking on behalf of the department, said SDPD is treating the matters with full seriousness. "We expect much more of our officers than that," Jimenez told NBC San Diego. "We hold our officers to a very high standard."
Jimenez said internal investigations have been launched into the conduct of all three officers, separate from whatever criminal proceedings follow in court. Officers found guilty of criminal charges and in violation of department policies could face suspension or termination.
"Accountability for us is incredibly important, just like trust with the community," Jimenez said. He acknowledged that the stress of the job can affect officers and their families, but maintained that the department has invested considerable effort in building public trust. "We've done a lot of work to make sure that the image of the San Diego Police Officer is one of excellence and one that is someone you can trust," he added.
SDPD has approximately 1,800 sworn officers. Jimenez conceded that while three arrests may appear a small proportion, it remains three too many. "This is not what we're all about," he said.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)