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Open Vallejo

Knowledge is power. Power to the people.

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Police shootings

A young Black woman wearing a "Justice for Mario Romero" shirt speaks into a microphone at a nighttime gathering with other families impacted by police violence. She is holding a single candle that burns with a tall flame, lighting her face in a warm glow.
Posted inImpact

Court rules Vallejo illegally destroyed evidence in police killings

by Geoffrey King June 27, 2023January 23, 2025
A Vallejo police officer wearing a helmet and carrying a rifle walks past police SUVs as the sun sets in Vallejo, California. Crime scene tape can be seen in the foreground.
Posted inCivil Rights

California’s attorney general wants court oversight of Vallejo police. Here is what that means.

by Laurence Du Sault June 20, 2023February 10, 2024
Frank Melville's mugshots, from the front and side.
Posted inNews

‘The purpose of punishment is not to wreak vengeance’: the remarkable story of Vallejo’s ‘boy bandit’

by Brendan Riley April 5, 2023February 20, 2024
A crowd of people gathers for a vigil behind a building at nighttime. A Black woman holds a flag with the visage of Ronell Foster, a 33-year-old father of two who was killed by Vallejo police in 2018. The flag reads "National Unity Against Police Brutality," "2018 Vallejo CA," and "Justice for Ronell Foster."
Posted inPublic Safety

State Justice Department has not probed — or even logged — all police shootings of possibly unarmed people

by Nigel Duara March 30, 2023October 27, 2023
A middle-aged Black man wearing a suit sits to the right of a blonde woman who appears to be in her sixties. She is wearing glasses, a black top and a brown sweater. Both individuals are seated at a wooden city council dais. An American flag hangs behind them.
Posted inEthics

Vallejo officials’ handling of evidence destruction probe marked by confusion, concern

by Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King February 22, 2023April 29, 2025
A young woman wearing a red top, red shoes and white and red pants holds a bright pink handwritten sign that reads, "Release the tapes!! Killer Cop" She stands in front of a large, off-white sedan from the 1980s or early 1990s. The background is dark and it appears to have been raining.
Posted inEthics

Senior officials ordered destruction of Vallejo police shooting evidence

by Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King February 5, 2023January 27, 2025
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.
Posted inPublic Safety

Vallejo police reforms stall despite scrutiny over killings

by Laurence Du Sault November 8, 2022October 27, 2023
Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams is seen at his swearing-in ceremony on Nov. 12, 2019, at Vallejo City Hall.
Posted inPublic Safety

Vallejo police chief resigns, former Sacramento chief to consult

by Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King November 4, 2022October 27, 2023
A screenshot of Open Vallejo's police violence database
Posted inNews

Open Vallejo releases critical incident database to public

by Geoffrey King August 7, 2020June 10, 2024
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.
Posted inPublic Safety

Vallejo police bend badges to mark fatal shootings

by Geoffrey King July 28, 2020March 28, 2025

Posts pagination

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Editor’s Picks

‘I can’t breathe’: video shows death Vallejo police concealed for years

‘I can’t breathe’: video shows death Vallejo police concealed for years

Senior officials ordered destruction of Vallejo police shooting evidence

Senior officials ordered destruction of Vallejo police shooting evidence

Vallejo police bend badges to mark fatal shootings

Vallejo police bend badges to mark fatal shootings

Suspects in killings of Vallejo witness, Vermont border patrol agent connected by marriage license, extreme ideology

Suspects in killings of Vallejo witness, Vermont border patrol agent connected by marriage license, extreme ideology

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