Newport Police Create Unit for Investigation of Citizens’ Complaints

Newport Beach Police Chief Arb G. Campbell Thursday announced the formation of a unit to investigate complaints and train officers to better deal with residents, following suits and claims alleging brutality and other police misconduct.

Creation of the Profession Standards Unit was one of the recommendations made earlier this year by the National League of Cities, which conducted an audit of the department.

Although the audit said the department’s 139 sworn officers generally performed “above average,” it also indicated that at times the department had been overly zealous in arresting people when citations or conversation could have solved the problems.

Lieutenant to Head Unit

Minorities and young beachgoers have complained that the department has singled them out for harassment.

Campbell, who took the job on a temporary basis last year and permanently six months ago, said, “The time has come for such a unit to be established to protect our city and the Police Department against false claims. But it will also deal with any misconduct.”

The police chief named Lt. Gary Petersen, 45, to head the unit and report directly to him. Petersen, a 24-year veteran of the department, said the unit would “coordinate the investigations of all personnel complaints” against the Police Department. He said those internal investigations would help city attorneys defend the Police Department when lawsuits reach court.

The day-to-day operation of the unit, however, will fall to Sgt. David Elliot, 45, who has been with the department for 23 years. The two career officers will be the only members of the unit.

Campbell said the unit, which will begin operating Oct. 1, also will offer ongoing training to police officers on community relations.

“I think it’s important that our officers have good relations and communication with the community,” the police chief said.

Petersen also said the unit will solicit officers’ ideas about problems.

“It will conduct routine inspections of all phases of our department, and we’re hoping to get a lot of input from the officers themselves,” he said.

No Suits Since January

Since July, 1985, a total of 40 claims have been filed against the department, 23 of which alleged excessive force, false arrest, civil rights violations or abuse.

Last month, a federal judge in Los Angeles ruled that six Newport Beach officers used excessive force when they insisted that a Costa Mesa man arrested for drunk driving submit to a blood test and physically restrained him at a hospital. The man’s claim asked for $10 million, but the judge has yet to determine how much the Newport Beach Police Department should pay him.