An Internal Affairs investigation into the city’s top cop for causing a crash on east Central Avenue earlier this year concluded that he violated two department policies.
Chief Harold Medina was issued two letters of reprimand on Monday — one for failing to safely operate a vehicle while on duty and another for failing to fully activate his body camera following the crash.
The investigation found he did not violate policies regarding the use of emergency warning equipment or having a “manner above reproach.”
APD’s Fleet Crash Review Board and its Fatal Crash Unit also reviewed the chief’s actions and in April they told the City Council they found the crash was not preventable. At that time, the city’s chief administrative officer stressed that many other entities would review the case — including the District Attorney’s Office and an independent monitor.
Read more about that review here.
On Feb. 17, Medina was on his way to a press conference — with his wife in the passenger seat — when he said he saw an illegal encampment blocking the sidewalk near Central Avenue. As he started to notify a commander for the southeast area of the encampment, two men began to fight nearby. Medina said one of the men drew a gun and fired one round.
“Chief Medina told investigators he was concerned for the safety of his wife, who was in the passenger seat, and he attempted to clear traffic on Central as he accelerated away from the gunshot,” Gilbert Gallegos, an APD spokesperson, wrote in a news release. “As he drove southbound through Central, he struck a car that was traveling eastbound on Central.”
The driver of the other vehicle — a gold 1966 Ford Mustang — was seriously injured and taken to the hospital. He is being represented by an attorney and has filed a tort claims notice, which typically precedes a lawsuit.
Read more about the other driver here.
After the crash, Medina referred his own actions to the Internal Affair Division, and Gallegos said he fully cooperated with the investigation. Medina accepted and signed the letters of reprimand.
Gallegos said over Medina’s 28 years in law enforcement, he was disciplined one other time with a written reprimand in 2006.
“Obviously, I never intended to cause a crash. I am grateful that Mr. (Todd) Perchert is recovering from his injuries,” Medina said. “All of our officers are held to the same standards and policies. I am no different.”