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Open Vallejo - Knowledge is power. Power to the people.

Open Vallejo (https://openvallejo.org/category/featured/)

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Featured

  • Related Topics:
  • News
  • Vallejo Police Department
  • City of Vallejo
  • Shawny Williams
  • Michael Nichelini
Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams is seen at his swearing-in ceremony on Nov. 12, 2019, at Vallejo City Hall.

Vallejo police chief resigns, former Sacramento chief to consult

By Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King | November 4, 2022

The City of Vallejo has signed a $100,000 consulting agreement with former Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn, whose tenure included the fatal shootings of Stephon Clark and Darrell Richards.

Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams speaks with Annice Evans, whose son Angel Ramos was killed by a Vallejo police officer on January 23, 2017, at a Vallejo City Council meeting on March 8, 2022. Ramos did not have a weapon.

Shake-up looms as Vallejo police chief takes time off

Five Vallejo police officers pose indoors with another man in a black and white group photograph taken in the 1970s or early 1980s. Front row, left to right: John Lynch, Peter Zander, Ronald Guerra. Back row: unknown, Herbert Shrum, Burky Worel, Louis Baldino.

Vallejo patrol staffing drops below 1975 levels

Then-San Jose Police Department Capt. Jason Ta, left, poses in the Vallejo City Council chambers for a photograph with Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams minutes after Williams was sworn in as Vallejo's police chief on Nov. 12, 2019. In 2021, Williams recruited Ta to serve as his deputy chief of police.

Deputy police chief arrived impaired to Vallejo homicide, memo alleges

A flashlight leaves a streak of light through a crime scene at night.

Vallejo tolerated officers’ mistakes. Then they killed again.

Featured
Members of Willie McCoy's family hug in front of Vallejo City Hall during a protest on Feb. 28, 2019, three weeks after Vallejo police killed the 20-year-old.

Vallejo police reforms stall despite scrutiny over killings

By Laurence Du Sault | November 8, 2022

In 2020, the California DOJ endorsed 45 reforms for Vallejo police. The department has implemented just two of them.

A 3D rendering of a DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone hovering over a 3D-rendered scene that includes a man lying dead in front of an undercover police truck.
Public Safety

Footage of Sean Monterrosa’s killing by police was ‘overwritten.’ Here is what we know about that night.

By Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King | December 9, 2021

As Vallejo moves to fire the detective who killed Monterrosa, newly-released records raise questions over officials’ handling of investigation.

Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams speaks with the media at his swearing-in ceremony on Nov. 12, 2019.
Ethics

Claim alleges false testimony by Vallejo police chief

By Laurence Du Sault, Katy St. Clair and Geoffrey King | November 1, 2021

Former Lt. Herman Robinson, Vallejo’s longest-serving police officer, accused Chief Shawny Williams of making false statements under oath as Williams sought to fire him, records obtained by Open Vallejo show.

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 Hall

City manager weakened Mare Island deal after undisclosed meetings with developers

By Chris Roberts | December 2, 2020

Vallejo City Manager Greg Nyhoff met with a Tennessee-based developer without telling key staff or the City Council. When the city’s negotiation team raised concerns, he fired them.

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.
Ethics

‘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.

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.

Ethics
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

By Geoffrey King | January 27, 2020

Vallejo Chief Assistant City Attorney Randy Risner has been fired or abruptly resigned from three cities after coming under media scrutiny.

In 2011, a federal judge sanctioned him for ‘serious’ misconduct involving client funds.

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