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Open Vallejo

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Shawny Williams

A stocking hanging outside the Vallejo City Attorney’s office on Dec. 21, 2022 reads, “We’ve been GOOD, we PROMISE!!” In September, Deputy City Attorney Katelyn Knight hired a firm to uncover the identities of authors behind two social media accounts, an Open Vallejo investigation has found.
Posted inSurveillance

Vallejo spends thousands to expose online commenters

by Geoffrey King December 23, 2022October 30, 2024
Vallejo Police Lt. Michael Nichelini takes a selfie with colleagues in front of his family’s winery in St. Helena, Calif. during a “training ride” on Nov. 14, 2019.
Posted inPublic Safety

Termination overturned for Vallejo police lieutenant who threatened journalist

by Geoffrey King December 1, 2022October 27, 2023
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
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.
Posted inPublic Safety

Shake-up looms as Vallejo police chief takes time off

by Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King October 27, 2022October 31, 2023
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.
Posted inPublic Safety

Vallejo patrol staffing drops below 1975 levels

by Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King September 21, 2022October 27, 2023
A flashlight leaves a streak of light through a crime scene at night.
Posted inCity of Impunity

Vallejo tolerated officers’ mistakes. Then they killed again.

by Laurence Du Sault July 7, 2022January 28, 2025
An overhead view taken from a drone shows a Black man being placed against a police SUV as he is arrested during daytime.
Posted inPrivacy

Vallejo police to weaken drone policy amid potential violations

by Brian Howey April 21, 2022October 17, 2024
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.
Posted inPublic 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, 2021January 29, 2025
Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams speaks with the media at his swearing-in ceremony on Nov. 12, 2019.
Posted inEthics

Claim alleges false testimony by Vallejo police chief

by Laurence Du Sault, Katy St. Clair and Geoffrey King November 1, 2021October 27, 2023

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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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