The ACLU of Northern California has demanded an independent inquiry into the actions of the Vallejo City Attorney’s Office, following accusations of serious misconduct. Amidst claims citing record destruction and questionable police hiring practices, the ACLU's call for transparency asserts a conflict of interest on the city's part that needs immediate addressing, urging the city council to take decisive action during their scheduled session next Tuesday, according to ACLU of Northern California.
Among the allegations charged against City Attorney Veronica Nebb and her staff are accusations of destroying records from multiple police shootings and supporting the Vallejo Police Department's efforts to withhold extensive misconduct records from public scrutiny; they are not only serious, but reflective of a pattern of troubling behavior that has the potential to exacerbate Vallejo’s public safety issues, according to the ACLU's letter. Allyssa Victory, senior staff attorney at the ACLU, brought attention to the long-standing history of unchecked police violence in Vallejo – from April 2001 to June 2020, officers reportedly shot 56 civilians, killing 30, and the implications of such unchecked misconduct could reach far and wide within the criminal justice system, as the advocacy group stated in their correspondence.
Responding to the allegations, civil rights attorney Melissa Nold highlighted the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the potential federal crimes involved and referring to whistleblowers from within the police department who corroborate these claims. She expressed hope that the pressure from the ACLU would prompt the Vallejo City Council to understand the scale and urgency of the matter, noting that "there are officers that are on the streets right now that the city knows shouldn't be there" and records of misconduct yet to be disclosed, as she told ABC7 News.
The City Attorney's Office has countered, claiming that "The ACLU's letter contains numerous statements and allegations relating to the City Attorney's Office which are not factual," maintaining a commitment to integrity and honesty while serving Vallejo, even as the Mayor of Vallejo, Andrea Sorce has joined the ranks of those calling for an independent investigation, per ABC7 News. The ACLU has requested that the city vote on the matter at its next meeting, enunciating a unanimous demand from various corners for accountability and transparent governance, which the citizens of Vallejo deserve, especially considering the police department’s history of the use of force.
