Badge-bending Archives - Open Vallejo

A police investigator wearing a dark suit with salt and pepper hair stands outside against a glass wall during daytime.

‘A whitewash and a coverup’: an interview with Vallejo police whistleblower John Whitney

by Geoffrey King December 6, 2023December 6, 2023

A bearded, tattooed Vallejo police officer is lit by emergency lights at night.

Vallejo officer in Monday shooting linked to badge bending ritual

by Geoffrey King November 22, 2023November 22, 2023

Several Vallejo police officers are lit by police lights at night.

State DOJ to impose sweeping reforms on Vallejo police

by Geoffrey King October 16, 2023October 30, 2023

A police officer in a dark suit cradles a clear acrylic or glass award with a seven-point star and a wooden base while smiling slightly.

Whistleblower who exposed badge-bending to settle lawsuit for nearly $1 million

by Geoffrey King September 13, 2023November 1, 2023

Three Vallejo police officers stand at a kitchen counter waiting to take orders to diners during a "tip-a-cop" charity event benefitting the Special Olympics of Northern California.

Ryan McMahon, whose bent badge revealed post-killing ritual, leaves Broadmoor

by Laurence Du Sault September 5, 2023October 27, 2023

Jared Huey, a skinny teenage boy wearing a baseball cap and a longsleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up barbecues in a backyard on a sunny day. An open Dr. Pepper soda can be seen within arm's reach. The photograph appears to have been taken with a broken camera that let light leak in, giving the image a nostalgic, multi-color effect.

‘Twisted to conceal:’ How laws meant to protect children help police evade scrutiny

by Laurence Du Sault June 28, 2023October 31, 2023

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, 2020November 25, 2023