The Fullerton Police Department of Fullerton, California, was established in 1904 when the city incorporated. The Fullerton Police Department currently employs 153 sworn officers and 78 civilian employees. The acting chief is Kevin Hamilton.[1][2][3]
Contents |
| Date | Chief of Department |
|---|---|
| 1904 July | Marshall Charles E. Ruddock |
| 1910 April | Marshall Roderick D. Stone |
| 1912 November | Marshall William French |
| 1918 August | Chief Vernon Myers |
| 1921 August | Chief Arthur L. Eeles |
| 1925 April | Chief O. W. Wilson |
| 1925 December | Chief Thomas K. Winter |
| 1927 December | Chief James M. Pearson |
| 1940 April | Chief John C. Gregory |
| 1951 February | Chief Ernest E. Garner |
| 1957 November | Chief Wayne H. Bornhoft |
| 1977 September | Chief Martin Hairabedian |
| 1987 March | Chief Philip Goehring |
| 1993 March | Chief Patrick McKinley |
| 2009 April | Chief Michael Sellers* |
The department has a Uniform Division, a Service Division and a Detective Division all commanded by officers in the rank of captain.[5]
(Main article; Death of Kelly Thomas) On the night of July 5th, 2011, Fullerton police responded to reports of a man trying to break into cars. They encountered Kelly Thomas, 37,[6]a local mentally-ill transient. Thomas was an unarmed local homeless man who was beaten severely by six officers and stunned six times with a taser. Thomas was taken to a hospital, and put on life support. Later, the life support was removed; Thomas died five days later.
After video of the incident and photos of Thomas in the hospital were released, five of the officers involved were placed on paid administrative leave. One other officer was already on administrative leave. The Fullerton Police Department refused to release their names at the time. The F.B.I. began an investigation.[7]
In early August, the city offered the Thomas family $900,000 to settle the matter. The family refused.[8]
In mid-August, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said he saw nothing in the video that pointed to an attempt by the officers to kill Thomas. At about the same time, the Thomas family launched a lawsuit that could potentially cost Fullerton millions of dollars.[9] Local activists began a campaign to recall the mayor and city council. On 9 August,[10] the police chief stepped down, citing health concerns.[11]
Taking over from the suddenly-ill police chief, acting chief Kevin Hamilton told the press that the surveillance tape from the scene (which has yet to be released by the authorities) showed "there was certainly a significant amount of struggle between Mr. Thomas and the officers."[12]
On 6 September, in order to pressure the district attorney to bring charges, the family's lawyer went on local newscasts with graphic images showing the damage done Thomas by the beating. [13]
On 22 September, 2011, press reports indicated District Attorney Rackauckas changed his mind and charged Officer Manuel Ramos and Corporal Jay Cicinelli with the killing. Ramos, 37 years old, who has served with the department for ten years, was jailed in lieu of a million dollar bond. Cicinelli, aged 39 and with a dozen years of service was released on $25,000 bail.[14][15] Cicinelli was placed on unpaid administrative leave by the Fullerton Police Department, but continued to receive his disability payments from the Los Angeles Police Department for a 1996 shooting that cost him his left eye.[16]
The Orange County Register reported that Thomas was ordered to sit on a curb and did so, but he failed to keep his hands on his knees as ordered.[17] The police then reached for their batons.
The Los Angeles Times reported Officer Ramos began the confrontation, putting on latex gloves and screaming, "See my fists? They are getting ready to f--- you up."[18]
The other four officers at the scene, Officer Joseph Wolfe, Officer Kenton Hampton, Sergeant Kevin Craig and Corporal James Blatney were not charged due to lack of evidence according to a statement by the District Attorney's office. [19]
Since the establishment of the Fullerton Police Department, two officers have died in the line of duty.[20]
| Officer | Date of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Police Officer Jerry Scott Hatch |
|
Vehicular assault |
| Officer Tommy De La Rosa |
|
Gunfire |