I don’t know if anybody would be able to tell us – how many lawsuits is the city of Chico involved in right now? That information is not available on the Butte County Court Case Index, and if you want an answer from staff you have to submit a formal request for information and wait until the cows come home (and yeah, I mean that literally) to get an answer.
I actually did submit a request regarding the negative figure I found for the “city recreation fund” but nine days later I’m still sitting on my three legged stool waiting for Bossy to get me an answer.
But a reader sent me a tip regarding a recently filed lawsuit naming the city of Chico, three specific Chico PD officers, and id’d other involved police officers as “Does 1-50” Here’s what I found online.
https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/caedce/2:2023at00526/429158
The names are included but you have to “log in” to read the complaint. This is public information but see how hard they make for you to read it. I got a copy of the complaint from my reader. Apparently, officers pulled over a car that did not match the description of the car they were looking for and, according to the filed complaint, proceeded to go beyond reason in their treatment of three minors. One girl’s arm was literally twisted until she cried. A minor boy was removed from the car – I can imagine how scared he was that he would receive the same treatment as the girl he was with.
This reminded me of the story we all read about a college student who was attacked by Chico PD in 2016 after they’d seen her video taping the arrest of another person. This video, which I found on youtube, is really disturbing. I’ll tell you what really disturbs me – the officer involved, Steve Dyke, has been involved in numerous questionable actions, and he’s still a member of Chico PD. Google his name, it’s shocking that a man like that is still carrying a gun.
Similar behavior to that you see in the video above was described in the report in the filing for the recent lawsuit. The girl involved was a minor, a teenager who made the mistake of going out without her mother after dark. Her arm was twisted until she cried, and much like what you see in the video above, the officers showed no mercy or pity. If you have teenagers, think about that next time they want to go anywhere in Chico without you.
If you have a child that’s considering enrolling at Chico State, I’d try to convince them to look at other colleges. I recommend University of Nevada, Reno, my kid had a great experience there, and they have a much better reputation than Chico State. Check out this link.
As the reader who sent me the information observes, “The city manager and chief will try to hush this up…probably a quick settlement at taxpayer expense the public will never hear about.” Yes, that’s true, they won’t talk about it publicly, they’ll hide behind “privacy”. And they’ll roll over and we’ll pay.
This is public information, you’re paying for it. This is your city, own it.
Chico Taxpayers Association 
*Hi Juanita: *
*Thank you for reminding your followers of the Hemphill case. That is a good reminder of the brutality the “peace officers” of Chico will unleash on a civilian when their feelings are hurt. Not only is the CPD a huge expense to the taxpayers, but I also say the money and toys lavished on the pampered police reveal the cavalier attitude of the council with YOUR money. *
*You know the CPD gets everything they want, plus protection from their buddy, the DA, while streets, parks, services for seniors, and public works get cuts in their budgets. *
*This is simply an escalation…CPD has to match other departments with a $40K lateral bonus and high salaries and benefits…with NO ACCOUNTABILITY to the taxpayers…that is a crime in my point of view and a waste of money for no benefit. The gym memberships are just another example of the council caving to these cretins. *
You may have seen these CPD viral videos, but they are worth another look. There are numerous articles from Dave Waddell that go into much detail about CPD, the cover-up of tax dollars that go to defend and settle the assignations, and violations of the cops. Why does the council praise the CPD?…the praise is not merited. The chiefs praise their soldiers as men and women of the highest character. That is perjury!
https://youtu.be/oaLiZdTV8VM https://youtu.be/oaLiZdTV8VM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOaqjYirXTQ&pp=ygUPY2hpY28gY2EgcG9saWNl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOaqjYirXTQ&pp=ygUPY2hpY28gY2EgcG9saWNl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F0kH0BnQKk&pp=ygUPY2hpY28gY2EgcG9saWNl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F0kH0BnQKk&pp=ygUPY2hpY28gY2EgcG9saWNl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaLiZdTV8VM&pp=ygUPY2hpY28gY2EgcG9saWNl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaLiZdTV8VM&pp=ygUPY2hpY28gY2EgcG9saWNl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asfdharc58A&pp=ygUPY2hpY28gY2EgcG9saWNl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asfdharc58A&pp=ygUPY2hpY28gY2EgcG9saWNl
*Its own Lexipol Policy Manual requires the CPD to treat the public with courtesy…regardless of the provocation. *
*Scott *
thanks Scott, I feel it’s time that people see what they are funding. We could get the A-Team for a lot cheaper, and I think they could do a better job.
Juanita, You raise salient questions in your headline. I will say this: The City’s lawyer just filed a court document in the Tyler Rushing killing/tasering lawsuit. The lawyer claimed the City couldn’t possibly go to trial before June 2024 because the City has 15 other trials going on. FIFTEEN!$ No one who is honest and above board gets sued that much, IMO. I had to sue the City because the PD went to disturbing lengths to withhold police-killing records. In settling, The City agreed to pay my attorney fees ($43,670). That was in 2022.
Thanks Dave – ask a simple question!
No, I don’t trust our city bureaucrats – the council members are really not qualified to make important decisions and Sorensen believes he is allowed to act without public knowledge or approval. The police department has the usual culture – extorting money from the public with fear by exacerbating the crime problem. And the public reacts by going inside and watching another episode of Dancing with the Stars, or reading a screed about child abduction.
I know we need cops, and they are people with feelings. They need better training, as you’ve said before. Did you read the article I posted from Steven Greenhut?
I didn’t but I just found the article and will read it now. Thanks, Juanita.
Oh good I think it’s a good starting point for some discussion