City Manager Environmental Services Police Recreation

The City of Arcata police officers lacked effective leadership and received insufficient training during the later tenure of Chief Chapman. (R1, R4) City Manager Response to F9: This finding is the subject of pending litigation in which the City, Arcata Police Department, and several City employees have been named as Defendants. The lawsuits [Lawson v. City of Arcata, et al, N.D. Case No. 4:18-cv- 07238-TGR and Zoellner v. City of Arcata, et al, N.D. Case No. 3:18-cv-04471] concern the same homicide investigation that the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury investigated. The lawsuits will resolve many of the issues investigated by the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury, and the lawsuits are the appropriate legal vehicle for such a response. The respondent appreciates the hard work of the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury on this matter. On advice of legal counsel for the pending lawsuits, respondent cannot respond to this finding.

A retired FBI agent provided pro bono investigative consultation to the City of Arcata and Arcata Police Department. The Civil Grand Jury independently evaluated the agent’s public assessments that the APD had poor management, lack of training, inadequate staffing and demonstrated a lack of transparency. We found these conclusions to be accurate. City Manager Response to F10: This finding is the subject of pending litigation in which the City, Arcata Police Department, and several City employees have been named as Defendants. The lawsuits [Lawson v. City of Arcata, et al, N.D. Case No. 4:18-cv- 07238-TGR and Zoellner v. City of Arcata, et al, N.D. Case No. 3:18-cv-04471] concern the same homicide investigation that the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury investigated. The lawsuits will resolve many of the issues investigated by the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury, and the lawsuits are the appropriate legal vehicle for such a response. The respondent appreciates the hard work of the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury on this matter. On advice of legal counsel for the pending lawsuits, respondent cannot respond to this finding.

The current Arcata Chief of Police is focusing on strengthening community relationships, substantially increasing training, and diversifying the pool of officers and staff. He has also begun community policing and leadership development as part of the nationwide effort to reform policing. (R2, R3, R6, R7) City Manager Response to F11: The respondent agrees with the finding.