Riverside, CA — A viral January video revealed Riverside officers damaging private property while investigating a residence which led to them facing misdemeanor vandalism charges.
Incident Caught on Camera
The Riverside Police Department initiated an internal and criminal investigation after a YouTube video with 556,000 views showed officers acting unprofessionally at a residential location.
The video shows at least six officers making their way into a space that looks like a driveway or patio area. The officers found no one at home but a barking dog when they knocked on the door.
Footage shows one officer trying to ride a skateboard after taking it from a driveway area and attempting an ollie when prompted by his colleague yet fails multiple times before two officers stay behind while others leave. An officer stomps on the skateboard until it breaks in half while his colleague takes pictures of the destroyed item.
Department Response and Charges
After investigating the incident Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez revealed that the County District Attorney’s Office will press misdemeanor vandalism charges against both officers.
“Let me be clear: This behavior is unacceptable and does not reflect the standards of the Riverside Police Department,” said Chief Gonzalez in a public statement.
The department has not made the officers’ identities public, but one officer has six years of service and the other has completed five years.
Chief Gonzalez confirmed that the department will impose necessary disciplinary measures after finishing its internal investigation which continues to this day.
“Accountability is essential, and I will continue to ensure my officers meet the standards expected by our community,” Gonzalez added.
Ongoing Investigation
The officers maintain active duty status until the results of the internal investigation and legal proceedings are finalized.
The Riverside Police Department welcomes any new information from the public. riverside-police-officers-skateboard-vandalism