Allegations of a racist texting scandal involving the Antioch police force have emerged, with the Contra Costa County public defender claiming that 40% of officers are likely involved.
The scandal relates to a series of text messages exchanged between Antioch police officers, with some officers making racist comments and jokes about black people, including referring to them as “idiots” and saying that they all look the same.
The messages also reveal officers taking pictures of a suspect’s naked backside while he was hospitalized.
The public defender is calling for all Antioch cases to be dismissed and for a review of thousands of prior convictions by the police department.
The officers involved have not yet commented on the allegations.
