San Francisco Bay Area police department mired in racist text scandal agrees to reforms A San Francisco Bay Area police department under federal investigation for racist and sexist texts has agreed to hire a consultant to update its policies, procedures and training on various topics, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
According to the agreement made public Friday, the Antioch Police Department and the City of Antioch will select an expert law enforcement consultant approved by DOJ to review and update its practices on nondiscriminatory policing, use of force, hiring and promotions and discipline, among other topics, over a five-year period.
The text messages, swapped among members of the Antioch Police Department between 2019 and 2022, surfaced in 2023 as part of an ongoing federal investigation of the department.
“The actions that led to this investigation were unacceptable and represent significant failures,” the city of Antioch said in a press statement issued Friday.
“Law enforcement is only effective when it inspires public confidence,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California.
