Pittsburg police aware of DA criminal investigation into officers

The Pittsburg Police Department responded in a statement on social media regarding the Friday announcement of a criminal investigation into alleged “crimes of moral turpitude” by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the FBI.

The District Attorney’s Friday announcement was related to “crimes of moral turpitude” involving Antioch and Pittsburg police officers. The DA said authorities on Wednesday “conducted court-authorized law enforcement activity at multiple locations” related to the investigation.

The Pittsburg Police Department Friday said in an Instagram post that it was aware of the investigation.

The department wrote:

“The investigation involves several local police officers, including three current Pittsburg police officers.” 

The department said it had been given information in September that one of its officers was involved in illegal activity.

The department said in the Instagram post:

“The tip also indicated that other law enforcement officers were involved, but did not go into further details. … When we learned of the allegations, we immediately contacted the district attorney’s office and asked them to conduct an independent criminal investigation.”

The FBI and the district attorney’s office met with the three officers on Wednesday. The three officers were put on paid administrative leave after the meeting, police said.

In the Friday announcement, prosecutors said they are reviewing active and closed cases involving officers under investigation, and that the two police departments and their respective cities are cooperating with the investigation.

In Friday’s statement, Pittsburg police said:

“Any officer who has violated their oath of office by engaging in illegal or unethical conduct will be held accountable.” 

Merriam-Webster defines moral turpitude as “an act or behavior that gravely violates the sentiment or accepted standard of the community.” 

A call to the Antioch Police Department was not returned by press time.