Posts Tagged ‘chris magnus’
Magnus’ last day of testimony delves into a lonely, divisive period atop department in 2006
After more than a week on the witness stand, Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus’ last day of testimony as a defendant was one of more questions from the plaintiff’s attorneys—and from the jury. “Do you have any friends in the Richmond Police Department?” was one question that came from the jury, read by the judge.…
Read MoreTestimony in discrimination suit highlights Richmond promotion demographics
In court on Thursday, Jonathan Matthews, attorney for plaintiff Lieutenant Cleveland Brown in the racial discrimination lawsuit against the city of Richmond and Chief of Police Chris Magnus, continued with questioning Magnus about his actions during a staff retreat in Napa in late 2006. The seven plaintiffs are all black commanders within the police department…
Read MoreAmid racial strife, Magnus hit resistance in imposing his program
When he took the helm in early 2006, Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus looked to impose his geographically centered policing strategy in a department accustomed to mobile crime suppression teams and cleaved with persistent racial division. “Unfortunately our department is greatly segregated,” then-Captain Ed Medina wrote in a memo reviewed by Magnus in 2006. “We…
Read MoreBrown testifies that Richmond chief promoted alleged racist, inflaming tensions
Lt. Cleveland Brown testified that he never heard the Richmond police chief or deputy chief use racial slurs, but that they made remarks that were offensive to African Americans. Former Deputy Chief Lori Ritter “told me to tap dance,” Brown said from the witness stand. “That is racially offensive.” Brown is one of seven high-ranking…
Read MoreTestimony in Magnus trial focuses on descent into dispute
Tuesday’s testimony – a marathon volley between Hartinger and Pickett – traced the rapid devolution of relations in the department after Magnus’ January 2006 hiring, which brought him to Richmond from Fargo, N.D.
Read MoreDeputy chiefs leading police department during discrimination lawsuit against Chief Magnus
Although Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus is expected to be in court through March defending himself in a racial discrimination lawsuit, RPD leaders say it’s business as usual for the department.
Read MoreSergeant testifies he was denied promotion in descrimination suit against Chief Magnus
In 2007, eight high-ranking African American police officers sued the city of Richmond, accusing police Chief Chris Magnus and former Deputy Chief Lori Ritter of racial discrimination. The civil trial is now in its third week in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez. The plaintiffs—one of whom has since retired from the department and dropped…
Read MoreMixed results, but downward trajectory of violent crime in Richmond continued in 2011
Richmond continues to make gains in reducing most crimes, but a deadly summer contributed to an uptick in homicides, according to year-end statistics released by police Friday.
Read MoreCouncilmen host breakfast for local ministers
What do you get when you put 50 church ministers and two city councilmen in a room together for three hours? A few sermons, frequent choruses of “A-men!” and some lively discussion about how to improve the City of Richmond. Saturday morning’s second “Annual Informational Community Breakfast,” hosted by councilmen Corky Booze and Nat Bates,…
Read MoreRichmond 2011: Images of a time and place
It was a year of indelible images in Richmond, and we were privileged to be behind the camera lens to capture a few of them.
Winnowing down the thousands of images we gathered in Richmond’s streets, parks, boardrooms, shores, restaurant halls and other spots was no easy task, and the results are no doubt imperfect. Undaunted, we present to you a handful of the images that hit us hardest, with some candid reflections from the photographers who captured them.
Richmond 2011: The year in review
2011 was quite a year, to borrow a favorite phrase from longtime resident Sims Thompson, in “our fair city.” I know that’s vague, but it’s tough to turn a pithy phrase that sums up a year in a vibrant, bustling and changing city. We had tragedy and triumph, tumult and harmony. Alliances and rivalries. Echoes of the past and glimmers from the future.
Read MorePublic safety leaders seek peace – among themselves
City Manager Bill Lindsay said late Wednesday he’ll order an investigation into who leaked information to the press and a councilmember about a non-criminal Sheriff’s stop involving an Office of Neighborhood Safety staff member. The move is aimed in part at easing the concerns of ONS staff, who have complained publicly and privately about what…
Read MoreNew social service group hosts outreach at Nevin Park
For Men and Women of Purpose, the model aspires to be: Work now, and the support will come.
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