local
California agencies disciplined officers for biased conduct, but they rarely lost their jobs
By LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 26, 2026
· 13 min read
An investigation by The California Newsroom and UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program found that many California officers disciplined for biased conduct remained employed in law enforcement. (Anna Vignet / KQED)In April 2023, the FBI discovered that Rafael Silva, an officer with the D...
Key takeaway (Anna Vignet / KQED)In April 2023, the FBI discovered that Rafael Silva, an officer with the Delano Police Department in California’s Central Valley, had made violent threats against transgender people on TikTok.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The fact that many California officers disciplined for biased conduct remained employed in law enforcement has significant implications for Los Angeles , where community trust in law enforcement is already a concern. The investigation's findings suggest that the current system of discipline and oversight may not be sufficient to hold officers accountable for their actions. In Los Angeles, where the police department has faced criticism for its handling of protests and interactions with marginalized communities, the news that officers with a history of biased conduct can easily find new jobs in law enforcement is particularly troubling. The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training's role in decertifying officers is crucial, but the fact that individual agencies and local oversight boards are responsible for investigating misconduct and imposing discipline raises questions about the consistency and effectiveness of these efforts in Los Angeles and beyond.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 13 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? An investigation by The California Newsroom and UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program found that many California officers disciplined for biased conduct remained employed in law enforcement. (Anna Vignet / KQED)In April 2023, the FBI discovered that Rafael Silva, an officer with the D...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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