Score: +10 (12/10/2)

Humboldt County Grand Jury • 2019-2020

A Community Divided The Ripples of a Homicide in Arcata, Ca

21 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 15 findings

The Arcata Police Department was not prepared to manage and investigate a large, violent crime scene of the magnitude of the David Josiah Lawson homicide. (R4)

Related Recommendations (1)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury strongly urges the Arcata Police Department to utilize the Major Crimes Incident Team in large or complex crime scenes as they have agreed to in their Memorandum of Understanding. (F1, F4, F7, F8, F9,

The Civil Grand Jury found no direct evidence of racial bias or corruption within the police response.

No recommendations for this finding

In the initial minutes of the incident, officers at the scene focused on life-saving procedures at the expense of crime scene management. (R1)

Related Recommendations (1)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the City of Arcata ensure sufficient funds are available to APD to continue training and maintain critical core staff such as evidence technicians. (F3, F5, F9, F12)

Chief Chapman was not there to manage the homicide scene. His absence contributed to the discoordinated response. (R4)

Related Recommendations (1)

Though every officer receives basic evidence handling training during POST, the Arcata Police Department had no designated Evidence Technician available on April 15, 2017, leading to poor execution of evidence preservation and failed chain of custody at the crime scene. (R1)

Related Recommendations (1)

Securing the crime scene, specifically detaining potential witnesses, protecting physical evidence and properly preserving the weapon was not followed at the homicide of David Josiah Lawson. 17 https://www.northcoastjournal.com/NewsBlog/archives/2020/05/30/humboldt-county-law-enforcement-responds-to-death-of-george- floyd 12

No recommendations for this finding

Arcata Police Department did not identify and question all potential witnesses in the David Josiah Lawson homicide after the arrival of emergency medical responders. (R4)

Related Recommendations (1)

Despite most Arcata Police Department officers having little experience navigating complex homicide cases, Chief Chapman declined multiple offers of additional help from other local law enforcement agencies with more experience in investigation and case review. (R4)

Related Recommendations (1)

The City of Arcata police officers lacked effective leadership and received insufficient training during the later tenure of Chief Chapman. (R1, R4)

Related Recommendations (2)

F10

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.

No recommendations for this finding

F11

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)

Related Recommendations (4)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the City of Arcata and Arcata Police Department, even in the case of economic downturns and budgetary constraints, to continue pursuing Cultural and Bias Education, Diversification of Staff and 13 Community Engagement. (F11)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the City of Arcata and Arcata Police Department should engage in community outreach by creating brief biographies for law enforcement officers, on their website. (F11)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the City of Arcata create a diverse Citizens Advisory Board to the Arcata Police Department which specifically reviews police conduct and service. (F11)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Arcata Police Department utilize minority interns through ongoing contact with Humboldt State University students. (F11)

F12

The current Arcata Chief of Police has created an investigations division and brought on an evidence technician in an effort to complete their investigative team. (R1)

Related Recommendations (1)

F13

A decentralized dispatch system hampered communication and added delays to the emergency and law enforcement response. (R5)

Related Recommendations (1)

The Humboldt Civil Grand Jury recommends Humboldt County and local area cities establish a centralized dispatch communications center that would shorten response times. (F13)

F14

Any determination that the David Josiah Lawson homicide was not a hate crime is premature. (R8)

Related Recommendations (1)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the final determination of hate crime designation should be withheld until a perpetrator is charged, and the intent and motivation for David Josiah Lawson's homicide is fully explored. (F14)

F15

The District Attorney's office created the Major Crimes Incident Team, a multi- agency collaborative response of which APD is a signatory of a Memorandum of Understanding. It has been used successfully multiple times since then for the resolution of crimes. (R4)

No recommendations for this finding

Agency Responses 4

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

Arcata City Council

October 01, 2020 • 4 pages • 10 responses • Score: +1 (+2, 2, -1) View Details ▾

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10 responses to findings and recommendations

The Arcata Police Department was not prepared to manage and investigate a large, violent crime scene of the magnitude of the David Josiah Lawson homicide. (R4)

Response: Unknown Score: 0

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 ha...

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

This recommendation was implemented to the best of the City's ability in 2020. Budgets are reviewed each year by the sitting Council. The City Council approved funding for an Evidence Technician position and the position was filled in January 2020. The City Council worked hard to preserve core levels of funding for public safety during the fiscal year 20/21 budget process where the City faced the largest budget reductions in over 20 years. R2. The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the City of Arcata and Arcata Police Department, even in the case of economic downturns and budgetary co...

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

This recommendation has been implemented and the City foresees these trainings to continue in the future. R3. The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the City of Arcata and Arcata Police Department should engage in community outreach by creating brief biographies for law enforcement officers, on their website. (F11) City Council

In the initial minutes of the incident, officers at the scene focused on life-saving procedures at the expense of crime scene management. (R1)

Response: Unknown Score: 0

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 1 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...

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable. Biographical information is personal to individual police officers, and they control how much of their personal lives they wish to disclose to the public. However, the City Council promotes community policing and strongly encourages all of our officers to actively engage in the community to get to know individuals and allow individuals to get to know them. R6. The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the City of Arcata create a diverse Citizens Advisory Board to the Arcata Police Department whic...

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

This recommendation has not yet been implemented and is being reviewed. The City Council established a Public Safety Task Force in 2016 that resulted in an extensive report of recommendations for public safety in Arcata. One of the recommendations was to form a standing Public Safety Committee comprised of residents that could regularly advise the City Council as public safety opportunities and concerns arose in the community. The Public Safety Committee was officially established in June of 2018. During the Council's June 2020 Council meeting the Council requested the Public Safety Committee ...

The City of Arcata police officers lacked effective leadership and received insufficient training during the later tenure of Chief Chapman. (R1, R4)

Response: Unknown Score: 0

F10

Response: Unknown Score: 0

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 h...

F11

Response: Agree Score: +1

The respondent agrees with the finding. 2 F12. The current Arcata Chief of Police has created an investigations division and brought on an evidence technician in an effort to complete their investigative team. (R1) City Council

F12

The current Arcata Chief of Police has created an investigations division and brought on an evidence technician in an effort to complete their investigative team. (R1)

Response: Agree Score: +1

The respondent agrees with the finding. RECOMMENDATIONS R1. The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the City of Arcata ensure sufficient funds are available to APD to continue training and maintain critical core staff such as evidence technicians. (F3, F5, F9, F12) City Council

Arcata City Manager

October 01, 2020 • 3 pages • 6 responses • Score: 0 (+1, 2, -1) View Details ▾

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6 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

This recommendation has been implemented. Even during the most significant economic crises the City has faced in the past 20 years, the Evidence Technician position has been retained. Public Safety is funded 95%+ from General Fund taxes and revenues. When the City is in periods of declining sales and hotel taxes there are not alternate funding sources to ensure prior year funding levels. R2. The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the City of Arcata and Arcata Police Department, even in the case of economic downturns and budgetary constraints, to continue pursuing Cultural and Bias Edu...

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

The respondent agrees with this recommendation and it has been implemented. Work on racial equity in Arcata began (in formal ways) in 2016 and through the formation of equity arcata in 2017. Details of trainings attended by the Police Department are listed in the Police Chief's response. Full City staff trainings have included the four dimensions of racism and micro aggressions. 2 R3. The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the City of Arcata and Arcata Police Department should engage in community outreach by creating brief biographies for law enforcement officers, on their website. (...

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

This recommendation is not warranted, reasonable or supported by the respondent and will not be recommended for implementation. Arcata Police Department is committed to community policing. This form of policing brings officers working side-by-side with community members at special clean up days, in classrooms, and community events and neighborhood meetings. In these settings I have often seen officers share professional and personal stories with the community. The decisions to share personal aspects of their life must remain a choice for all city employees including police officers. The City i...

The City of Arcata police officers lacked effective leadership and received insufficient training during the later tenure of Chief Chapman. (R1, R4)

Response: Unknown Score: 0

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 h...

F10

Response: Unknown Score: 0

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 h...

F11

Response: Agree Score: +1

Arcata Police Chief

October 01, 2020 • 6 pages • 18 responses • Score: +8 (+8, 5, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

18 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

The respondent agrees with the finding. F12. The current Arcata Chief of Police has created an investigations division and brought on an evidence technician in an effort to complete their investigative team. (R 1) Police Chief Response: The respondent agrees with the finding. F13. A decentralized dispatch system hampered communication and added delays to the emergency and law enforcement response. (RS) Police Chief Response: This finding is the subject of pending litigation in which the City, Arcata Police Depm1ment, and several City employees have been named as Defendants. The lawsuits [Lawso...

In the initial minutes of the incident, officers at the scene focused on life-saving procedures at the expense of crime scene management. (R1)

Response: Agree Score: +1

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: I 8-cv-04471] concern the same homicide investigation that the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury investigated. The lawsuits will 1 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 t...

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

Chief Chapman was not there to manage the homicide scene. His absence contributed to the discoordinated response. (R4)

Response: Agree Score: +1

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 h...

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

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: I 8-cv-04471] concern the same homicide investigation that the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury investigated. The lawsuits will resolve many ofthe 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 h...

Response: Agree Score: +1

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 ofthe 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 har...

Response: Agree Score: +1

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: I 8-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 2 t...

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

Arcata Police Department did not identify and question all potential witnesses in the David Josiah Lawson homicide after the arrival of emergency medical responders. (R4)

Response: Agree Score: +1

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 ofthe 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 ha...

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Arcata Police Department utilize minority interns through ongoing contact with Humboldt State University students. (F11)

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

Response: Agree Score: +1

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 h...

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

This recommendation is the subject of pending litigation in which the City, Arcata Police Depaiirnent, 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 Zoellnerv. 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 ofthe issues investigated by the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury, and the lawsuits are the appropriate legal vehicle for such a response. The respondent appreciate...

The City of Arcata police officers lacked effective leadership and received insufficient training during the later tenure of Chief Chapman. (R1, R4)

Response: Agree Score: +1

F11

Response: Unknown Score: 0

The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or reasonable. For personal safety reasons, to pro-actively identify APD personnel as peace officers would be detrimental to maintaining some degree of anonymity away from work that contributes towards a safer environment for APD personnel. The degree to which Officers share with others their profession as peace officers must continue to be a personal choice. R4. The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury strongly urges the Arcata Police Department to utilize the Major Crimes Tncident Team in large or complex crime scenes as they...

F12

The current Arcata Chief of Police has created an investigations division and brought on an evidence technician in an effort to complete their investigative team. (R1)

Response: Agree Score: +1

The respondent agrees with the finding. F13. A decentralized dispatch system hampered communication and added delays to the emergency and law enforcement response. (RS) Police Chief Response: This finding is the subject of pending litigation in which the City, Arcata Police Depm1ment, 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: I 8-cv-04471] concern the same homicide investigation that the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury investigated. The lawsuit...

F13

A decentralized dispatch system hampered communication and added delays to the emergency and law enforcement response. (R5)

Response: Unknown Score: 0

This finding is the subject of pending litigation in which the City, Arcata Police Depm1ment, 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: I 8-cv-04471] concern the same homicide investigation that the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury investigated. The lawsuits will resolve many ofthe 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 ha...

F14

Any determination that the David Josiah Lawson homicide was not a hate crime is premature. (R8)

Response: Unknown Score: 0

F15

Response: Unknown Score: 0

The recommendation has been implemented. The Arcata Police Department formally signed the MCTT MOU on July 11, 2018. Recent requests for agency assistance include EPD's Evidence Technician at a shooting scene (December 3, 2018,) HCSO's Evidence Technician as well as CHP and HSUPD Patrol resources at a homicide 5 scene (May 26, 2019) and CHP, HCSO and EPD subject matter experts at a major injury traffic collision scene (September 7, 2019.) R6. The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the City of Arcata create a diverse Citizens Advisory Board to the Arcata Police Department which specif...

District Attorney

September 01, 2020 • 2 pages • 2 responses • Score: +1 (+1, 1, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

2 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

The recommendation has been i1]1plemented and will continue to be implemented.

F14

Any determination that the David Josiah Lawson homicide was not a hate crime is premature. (R8)

Response: Agree Score: +1

The respondent agrees with the finding.

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

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