The head of Vallejo’s police union is reportedly under investigation in connection with the destruction of evidence in the officer involved killing of Sean Monterrosa.
The shooting of 22-year-old Monterrosa in a Walgreens’ parking lot on June 2 sparked outrage.
Destruction of evidence in the case is being investigated by the California Department of Justice.
“The officer, in this case, who shot Mr. Monterrosa, fired five shots from the backseat of his car through the front windshield,” said John Burris, a civil rights attorney who represents Monterrosa's family.
The windshield was destroyed and the vehicle is back in service.
“A critical piece of evidence has been destroyed, without an agreement on all parties whether it should be or not, or that we didn’t have opportunity to examine it ourselves,” Burris said.
Two police department employees have been placed on leave, pending the destruction of evidence investigation, according to the Vallejo Police Department website.
There are now reports that one of those employees is Lt. Michael Nichelini, the head of the Vallejo Police Officers’ Association.
Burris told KCBS Radio that he is very concerned that the POA president, who is a department lieutenant, may be involved in that part of the case.
“It raises real questions about this department itself, and what kind of institutional controls it may have,” Burris said.
A police department spokesperson told KCBS Radio in an email that the department is unable to provide information on personnel matters, which are confidential.
KCBS Radio reached out to the Vallejo POA for comment, but has not heard back.