Correspondence - CS Item No. 3 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I In 2018, Officer John Rodriguez worked together with a new [then-probationary] officer named 2 Chiguano. They pulled a car over and Officer Rodriguez approached the vehicle with his camera purposefully turned off.Officer Rodriguez used profanity and verbally attacked the person in the car 3 calling him derogatory names possiblyhaving to do with their sexual orientation.Afterwards,Officer 4 Rodriguez directed Officer Chiguano to walk up to the car with his camera turned on and pretend it was the original police contact with the driver in order to deny the drivers['] claims. When the 5 officer discovered the occupant had recorded the entire disgraceful encounter with Officer Rodriguez on the drivers['] personal cell phone, Officer Rodriguez directed Officer Chiguano to falsely arrest 6 the driver and destroy the cell phone that contained all the evidence. Officer Rodriguez told Officer 7 Chiguano to lie and document the phone had been left inside the care to absolve himself of the missing cell phone. Officer Chiguano, as a new employee, followed the orders given to him by his 8 former field training officer and a veteran officer. 9 Currently, there is an investigation by the Orange County District Attorney's office and Internal 10 Affairs into Officer Chiguano. The majority of the employees of your police department are aware John Rodriguez is mostly to blame for this incident and he is distancing himself from Officer 11 Chiguano and wants to put all blame on him. Officer Rodriguez had told lies as to how the incident 12 happened in order to make himself look innocent. Officer Rodriguez has been asked and he has told numerous people he will rectify the situation because his connections to the Police Chief and others 13 in power.Officer Rodriguez is utilizing his new team to pressure and intimate Officer Chiguano into 14 staying quiet and taking the blame. 15 Chief Valentin, the employees of the Santa Ana Police Department are aware of this case. Your employees are aware of your connection to Officer Rodriguez. Your employees are aware of the 16 connection with John Rodriguez and the Police Officers Association.Your employees are aware of 17 the connection between the District Attorney's office and Officer Rodriguez. Your employees are aware of the connections Officer Rodriguez has with Internal Affairs. All of these relationships 18 would allow Officer Rodriguez to walk away from this investigation and not take any responsibility. 19 As the Chief of Police, will you look the other way? As Chief of Police, will you leave it up to 20 another entity to investigate this matter knowing everyone will remain quiet so you can clean your 21 hands of this investigation[?] 22 The Santa Ana citizens and your employees hope you will take immediate action! Otherwise, how long before the public is made aware?How long before the victims[`] attorney is notified with exact 23 details[?] How long before the City Manager and council members are informed what you have 24 allowed[?] Everyone awaits to see if you take action or sweep this under the rug because of your friendship with Officer Rodriguez. 25 What Officer Rodriguez did is illegal, immoral and has left many employees wondering why the 26 Chief of Police constantly praises Officer John Rodriguez as being an example for everyone to 27 follow when everyone knows about this cover up. Either way, the truth will be known by all. 28 Your employees" 5 MENENDEZ V. CITY OF SANTA ANA CASENO. COMPLAINT