Former Long Beach Police Officer Erik Suarez is the subject of a legal battle over the release of his personnel records. defense attorney Scott Sanders is seeking these files to support Lonnie Jacobs, a man facing a potential four-year prison sentence.
A 2019 Georgia Battery Conviction and the LBPD's Silence
Erik Suarez was convicted of misdemeanor battery in 2019 after assaulting a man in Cobb County, Georgia. Despite this conviction, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) continued his employment, and he was later investigated by the Los Angeles District Attorney for use of force , though no charges resulted from that specific probe.
According to reporting by LAist, the Long Beach Police Department only posted investigative files regarding a 2023 finding of "unnecessary or unreasonable force" after the news outlet submitted a records request. This sequence suggests a reactive rather than proactive approach to transparency regarding the conduct of Erik Suarez.
Lonnie Jacobs and the Fight Against a Four-Year Sentence
The legal push for these records is driven by defense attorney Scott Sanders on behalf of his client, Lonnie Jacobs. Jacobs is currently facing up to four years in prison on charges of bringing a controlled substance into a jail facility.
Scott Sanders argues that the arrest of Lonnie Jacobs was predicated on Erik Suarez misrepresenting facts and omitting key evidence.. By accessing the personnel files of Erik Suarez, Sanders aims to demonstrate a documented pattern of misconduct that would undermine the officer's credibility as a witness in the case against Jacobs.
The June Transition to the Burbank Police Department
In a timing that has drawn scrutiny, Erik Suarez left the Long Beach Police Department in June, just three days before he was served with a second subpoena by the defense. Records indicate that Erik Suarez has since been hired by the Burbank Police Department.
The Burbank Police Department has declined to provide details regarding the background investigation or employment history of Erik Suarez, citing the confidentiality of personnel records. Furthermore, attempts by LAist to contact Erik Suarez directly were blocked by an unidentified individual answering his public-record phone number.
Scott Sanders' Allegations of an 'Intentionally Flawed Process'
The dispute over Erik Suarez's files reflects a larger tension regarding the disclosure of police misconduct. Scott Sanders has claimed in court filings that the Long Beach Police Department employs a process designed to conceal evidence that would be favorable to defendants and damaging to officers.
As reported by LAist, Sanders believes that every individual charged in a case involving the Long Beach Police Department should assume that incriminating evidence is being withheld. The City of Long Beach has countered this, arguing that the allegations in the Lonnie Jacobs case do not provide "good cause" to scour personnel files for unrelated wrongdoing or performance deficiencies.
Did the Burbank Police Department Vet the Georgia Conviction?
A critical unknown remains: to what extent the Burbank Police Department was aware of the 2019 Georgia conviction and the 2023 force finding during the hiring of Erik Suarez. while the Long Beach Police Department confirmed it knew of the Georgia arrest, it is unclear if this information was formally transmitted to the new employer.
Additionally, it remains to be seen whether the court will compel the Long Beach Police Department to release the full personnel file, a move that could set a precedent for how "protected" files are handled in similar misconduct cases across California.
Comments 0