9 Officers Richmond Officers Disciplined in Sexual Exploitation Scandal That Prompted Livermore Police Officer's Resignation

The Richmond Police Department announced today that nine officers have been disciplined in a sexual exploitation scandal involving the teenage daughter of an Oakland police dispatcher.

Richmond officials said that as the result of a misconduct probe, one officer will be fired, one will be demoted, two will be suspended and five others will be given letters of reprimand. Two other officers who were part of the misconduct investigation previously left the department for reasons unconnected with the misconduct,
the Police Department said.

The department said the officers have 10 days from receiving their note of proposed discipline to request a private hearing. Under state law they aren't allowed to name the officers who will be disciplined.

The expansive scandal has also led to criminal charges against an expected seven current and former law enforcement officers in three agencies.

The Alameda County District Attorney's Office has filed felony charges against two Oakland police officers and a Contra Costa sheriff's deputy. A former Oakland police sergeant and a former Livermore police
officer have been charged with misdemeanors and two other Oakland officers are also expected to face misdemeanor charges.

One of the Oakland officers, Brian Bunton, 40, is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon on charges of felony obstruction of justice and engaging in prostitution.

Officers in at least seven Bay Area law enforcement agencies have been under investigation in connection with the scandal. Prosecutors in San Francisco and Contra Costa County are still investigating and may file
further criminal charges. Richmond Mayor Tom Butt said in a statement that his city has worked hard to make its police department a national model for community-involved policing and, "I am both disappointed and outraged that the individual behavior of some Richmond police officers has brought discredit to the department and serves to undermine community trust."

Richmond Police Chief Allwyn Brown said, "I am sorry that the misconduct of these individuals has brought embarrassment to the city of Richmond and the Richmond Police Department."

Brown said, "Police officers must be held to a higher standard with regard to their personal and professional conduct because their effectiveness in serving the community depends on the public's trust. Integrity is indispensable to the position of police officer, and a breach of that integrity will not be tolerated at the Richmond Police Department."

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By Bay City News

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