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Published on November 09, 2024
San Diego Police Launch Internal Probe into Valencia Park Use-of-Force IncidentSource: Google Street View

The San Diego Police Department has opened an internal investigation into a use-of-force incident that occurred in the Valencia Park neighborhood, as reported by the City of San Diego's official website. The incident, which took place late on October 24, began when police responded to reports of a man allegedly threatening a woman with a gun.

Police officers arrived at the home on Duluth Ave. and developed a strategy to apprehend the 31-year-old male suspect, clad only in shorts. The suspect eventually came outside after officers commanded him to do so and was subsequently arrested following his failure to surrender. To take him into custody, officers used less-lethal beanbag rounds and deployed a police canine. The man was suspected of assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest. Significantly, no firearm was found at the scene, and he was not booked into jail but later taken to a hospital for treatment.

Publicly released video footage prompted concerns and a formal complaint, to which the SDPD's Internal Affairs Unit is responding as part of their procedural responsibilities. According to Police Chief Scott Wahl, in a statement from the Times of San Diego, "As with many uses of force, videos of this nature are very difficult to view. We are already in the process of conducting a thorough review of the incident, and I’m committed to exploring how the situation could have been handled differently."

The investigation will include a review of the body-worn camera footage, witness statements, and other evidence. The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) will monitor the investigation closely alongside the Department of Justice. Moreover, the City’s Commission on Police Practices will deliver an assessment after reviewing the department's findings. Part of the process will also entail the SDPD's Training Division to thoroughly review the case to establish whether the officers involved followed appropriate training and professional best practices.