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Featured

Vallejo City Councilmember Hakeem Brown, right, attends the swearing-in of Police Chief Shawny Williams last November. Elected to the council in 2018, Brown has rapidly consolidated political power by aligning himself with Vallejo’s powerful public safety unions.

‘Domestic violence bordering on torture’: records reveal years of allegations against Vallejo councilmember

By Geoffrey King | October 13, 2020

At least five women have accused Brown of physical violence over the past two decades, an Open Vallejo investigation has found.

Vallejo Chief Assistant City Attorney Randy Risner attends the swearing-in ceremony for Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams on November 12, 2019 at Vallejo City Hall.

Vallejo appoints interim city attorney court sanctioned for fraud

Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams is sworn into office under the gaze of a city surveillance camera on Nov. 12, 2019. A BuzzFeed News investigation found that Vallejo was one of more than 1,800 public entities to use a facial recognition technology so powerful, it is the subject of numerous lawsuits and several government probes. A Vallejo police spokesperson said the department’s command staff were unaware of its use prior to being contacted for comment by Open Vallejo.

Vallejo police secretly tested ‘dystopian’ facial recognition tool

A man stands among a crowd of people in silhouette against a backlit flag of the "Three Percenter" militia.

Solano deputies, Vacaville councilmember promote anti-government militia

Vallejo City Manager Greg Nyhoff is seen at the swearing-in for Police Chief Shawny Williams on November 12, 2019 at Vallejo City Hall.

City manager weakened Mare Island deal after undisclosed meetings with developers

Public Safety

Steve Darden, a member of the Vallejo Police Department Honor Guard, is seen at the swearing-in ceremony for Chief Shawny Williams on Nov. 12, 2019. He has participated in four fatal shootings, two as a primary shooter. Darden was promoted to lieutenant in February.

Vallejo police bend badges to mark fatal shootings

By Geoffrey King | July 28, 2020

The tradition is known at the highest levels of Vallejo city government and to Solano County’s district attorney, sources say.

Public Safety

Former Vallejo Police Chief Andrew Bidou poses for a picture with officers Matthew Komoda, David McLaughlin and Kevin Barreto on April 29, 2016. Over the next two-and-a-half years, Komoda would participate in three shootings, McLaughlin in two, and Barreto in one.

For Vallejo officers who use force, a pattern of promotions and awards

By Scott Morris | July 28, 2020

Former Vallejo Police Chief Andrew Bidou poses for a picture with officers Matthew Komoda, David McLaughlin and Kevin Barreto on April 29, 2016.

Over the next two-and-a-half years, Komoda would participate in three shootings, McLaughlin in two, and Barreto in one.