Officer Violated Badge Policy, Inquiry Finds

A police investigation has confirmed allegations that an officer improperly flashed his badge while campaigning on behalf of City Council candidates endorsed by the police union.

But police will not disclose if disciplinary action will be taken against the unnamed officer.

The man who filed the complaint says the secrecy shows the need for a police commission, an idea currently under review in the city.

“This weakens the public’s confidence in the police department,” said Dean Albright, a 64-year-old retired Long Beach Naval Shipyard electrician who filed the complaint.

Albright said an out-of-uniform police officer came to his Huntington Beach home in October, displayed his badge and urged Albright to vote against incumbent Councilmen Tom Harman and Dave Sullivan.

“To have the police department process their own complaints against their own people, not knowing if they’re following through with the proper discipline, that’s all the more reason to have a police commission,” he said.

Police Lt. Dan Johnson said an investigation “sustained” Albright’s allegations and that the officer’s actions were a violation of department policy.

“I don’t know of any state or federal law that was violated,” said Johnson, adding that state privacy laws regarding employees prohibit the department from disclosing the officer’s name and whether any disciplinary action will be taken.

Albright said he believes the actions of the officer amount to a federal civil rights violation.

He plans to voice his concerns to the City Council on Monday.

The recent City Council election is believed to have been one of the most hard-fought elections in city history. The police union actively campaigned against Harman and Sullivan, who were both reelected.

Police Officers’ Assn. President Richard Wright said the incident should not be blown out of proportion.

“If in fact there was a violation,” Wright said, “it was extremely minor and not to the extent Mr. Albright would like to have people believe.”