The California Department of Justice has entered into an enforceable reform agreement with the Torrance Police Department to improve policies and accountability after an independent review found instances of excessive force, racist text messages and other misconduct at the agency, officials announced.
The review was initiated four years ago after the previous Torrance chief of police requested assistance in identifying and correcting potential systemic failures at the department amid news reports of bigoted text messages being exchanged among TPD officers.
As part of the five-year plan, the city of Torrance and TPD will implement a set of reforms to be overseen by an independent monitor to improve the department’s practices and its relationship with the community, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement Thursday.
“Today’s enforceable agreement is an important step toward improving Torrance Police Department’s practices and policies and strengthening trust between its officers and the community they serve,” Bonta said.
“While my office is no stranger to investigating and addressing systemic deficiencies within law enforcement agencies — and we do not take lightly the concerning circumstances that led to this independent review — TPD is a rare agency to proactively seek a review of its policies and practices,” he said. “I am optimistic that TPD’s cooperation throughout this process, and its commitment to reform, will lead to real results that will allow it to better protect the safety of the community it serves and support the well-being of its personnel.”
In August 2021, two former TPD officers were charged with felony vandalism and conspiracy to commit vandalism for allegedly spray painting a swastika on a car they had been involved in impounding a year earlier. The investigation revealed that more than a dozen officers had allegedly exchanged racist, homophobic and antisemitic messages. Following a request for assistance from then-TPD Chief Jay Hart, DOJ initiated an independent review to identify and address systemic failures in TPD’s policies and practices.
Robert Dunn, TPD’s interim chief, promised Thursday to fully support his agency’s reforms.
“The message to our employees, elected leaders, and the community is clear: The Torrance Police Department has a zero-tolerance policy for hate and discrimination and is committed to constitutional policing,” he said. “We will diligently work to implement these reforms while fulfilling our mission to keep our community safe and secure.”
Added Torrance Mayor George K. Chen: “Change does not happen overnight and requires the support of personnel and budget. We are committed to working together with the DOJ to improve our police department and create a better future for the city of Torrance.”
As part of the agreement, TPD will address systems for standards, supervision, oversight and accountability; disparities and bias in policing; use of force; community policing; employment practices; and organizational health, Bonta said.