City workers claim CHP retaliation

City workers Bradley Cocking and John “J.D.” Davis Jr. say a CHP officer wrote a ticket in retaliation following an argument. Photo

Two city workers claim that a California Highway Patrol officer wrote a seatbelt ticket for one of them the day after a quarrel over a red no-parking line the workers painted on the street outside the officer’s Hermosa home. The workers claim that during the dispute the officer told them, “I’ll see you on the road.”

CHP Officer Joe Dominguez has denied the allegation, according to letters sent to the city workers by Capt. Chris O’Quinn, the CHP’s area commander.

An initial CHP investigation found Dominguez did nothing improper in writing the ticket. But the matter is being reviewed a second time following a request by Hermosa police, O’Quinn said.

Dominguez declined comment, citing the direction of a superior.

On June 17, Bradley Cocking, a city maintenance worker for four years, and John “J.D.” Davis Jr., a maintenance worker for 29 years, began filling a superior’s work order to paint the red line on the street where Dominguez lives. The red lines can be seen on many narrow Hermosa streets to indicate how close to the curb a motorist must park, to allow emergency vehicles and other traffic to get past.

The workers said Dominguez was in his garage at the outset of the job and objected to red paint being placed in front of his driveway. They said they told Dominguez they were not responsible for deciding where the red lines would be painted, and the officer addressed both of them, saying, “I’ll see you on the road.”

The next day, the workers returned to the street to complete the job. Later that morning, they said, Dominguez pulled over Cocking in his city work truck on Valley Drive near City Hall, and cited him for failing to wear a seatbelt and failing to produce proof of insurance and registration for the vehicle.

When Cocking was pulled over, Davis was driving a truck in front of him, and called city officials. Police Lt. Tom Thompson responded and “attempted to mediate” the matter, Hermosa Beach Police Chief Greg Savelli said. Cocking said two other Police Department members showed up as well.

Cocking said he took the ticket to traffic court to air his allegation that he was targeted for the ticket, but he admitted to the commissioner that he was not wearing a seatbelt.

The CHP’s initial internal investigation cleared Dominguez.

“After a thorough and complete investigation, we were unable to substantiate your allegations,” O’Quinn wrote in a letter to Cocking.

“Officer Dominguez denies making the statement ‘I’ll see you on the road’ or being rude to you in any way, and acknowledged he stopped and issued you a citation for not wearing your seatbelt in your employer’s vehicle the following day.

“Giving equal weight to the statements of both you and Officer Dominguez, we were unable to reach a determination on your allegation of discourtesy. However, Officer Dominguez had a legitimate reason to be in the area where he observed you not wearing a seatbelt. In addition, you admitted to committing the violation,” O’Quinn wrote.

“Based on these facts and circumstances, the conduct of Officer Dominguez is deemed appropriate and in accordance with department policy with regard to the issuance of the citation,” O’Quinn wrote.

In an interview, O’Quinn said the investigation, which was conducted at the CHP’s area level, is being followed by a second investigation at the division level, one step up. O’Quinn is in command of a portion of Los Angeles County, and the division encompasses the entire county.

“I am aware that a review has been requested by the Hermosa Beach Police Department, at the next level of review, and it is under way at this moment,” O’Quinn said.

“I have confidence that the CHP will look at this matter in more detail,” Chief Savelli said.

Savelli said he believes Dominguez “was displeased” that the red line was being painted outside his home, and took an action that was “inappropriate and contrary to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.”

The oft-cited code includes the pledge, “I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions.”

Savelli added, “The ticket itself is legitimate. Our employee was not wearing his seatbelt. The city has taken steps to ensure that all employees comply with the seatbelt laws.” ER

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