Antioch Police Department Commits to Reforms Following Racist Text Scandal

The California city and its police department will implement a five-year plan to address systemic misconduct after a federal investigation revealed discriminatory practices.

• The Antioch Police Department in California has agreed to a five-year reform plan after a federal investigation uncovered racist, sexist, and homophobic text messages exchanged by officers between 2019 and 2022.
• The texts included derogatory language, racial slurs, and instances of officers boasting about fabricating evidence and using excessive force against suspects.
• The reforms will be guided by an expert law enforcement consultant approved by the Department of Justice, focusing on nondiscriminatory policing, use of force, hiring, and disciplinary practices.
• City officials emphasized their commitment to rebuilding public trust through transparency, accountability, and community-focused policing measures.
• The city of Antioch and several officers are also facing a civil lawsuit for alleged civil rights violations related to the scandal.

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