Written by: Michael Phillips
ANTIOCH, CALIFORNIA - In a development that feels both overdue and tragically on-brand for modern policing scandals, the Antioch Police Department in California has agreed to implement sweeping reforms after federal investigators unearthed a treasure trove of racist, sexist, homophobic, and downright vile text messages exchanged among its officers. Yes, the department tasked with protecting and serving apparently spent three years perfecting the art of hateful banter via text.
The agreement, announced by the U.S. Department of Justice, will require the department to hire a DOJ-approved consultant who will spend the next five years helping Antioch clean house—or at least clean up their messaging apps. The consultant will review and overhaul policies on nondiscriminatory policing, use of force, hiring, promotions, and discipline. In short, it’s a total reboot for a department that desperately needs it.
The Scandal: A Crash Course in How Not to Behave
The scandal centers on revelations that Antioch officers exchanged offensive text messages between 2019 and 2022. These messages weren’t just bad; they were so inflammatory they could’ve been written by a troll who moonlights as a Klansman. Highlights include racist slurs, derogatory comments about LGBTQ+ individuals, and graphic, sexually explicit content—all shared on department-issued phones.
And while one might assume such behavior would lead to immediate firings, many of the officers involved remained on the job until the federal investigation forced the city’s hand. Because apparently, getting caught sending hateful texts is only a problem when the feds start poking around.
Reforms: Better Late Than Never?
Under the new agreement, the Antioch PD will work with a consultant to ensure its policies and practices align with, you know, basic decency. Key areas of focus include:
Nondiscriminatory policing policies that might discourage officers from treating their city’s diverse population like punchlines in a group chat.
A revised use-of-force policy, presumably to ensure officers understand that force should be used judiciously—and not as a first resort.
Hiring and promotion practices designed to weed out those who think sharing racist memes is a team-building exercise.
The reforms will be implemented over five years, giving the department ample time to unlearn its bad habits. Whether that’s enough time to fix a culture this broken remains to be seen.
The City Speaks Out
Antioch’s leadership has acknowledged the gravity of the scandal, with city officials pledging to rebuild public trust. Mayor Lamar Thorpe stated, “We must confront the failures of our past to build a better future.” A noble sentiment, though one has to wonder why it took federal investigators to prompt such soul-searching.
Antioch, a city of 115,000 with an increasingly diverse population, has seen a dramatic shift in demographics over the last three decades. Residents have called for accountability, transparency, and policing that reflects the community’s values—rather than the twisted humor of a group chat gone rogue.
Looking Ahead
The federal investigation continues, and it’s unclear whether criminal charges or additional disciplinary actions will follow. But one thing is clear: Antioch PD’s promise to reform isn’t just a PR move—it’s a necessity. The city’s residents deserve better, and the department has a long way to go to prove it can deliver.
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