Sen. Dodd Responds to Vallejo Police Shooting and DOJ Review of Department

VALLEJO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today in response to a recent officer-involved shooting death by Vallejo police and the state Department of Justice’s announcement that it would review the Vallejo department’s policies and procedures on the use of lethal force:

“I appreciate the Attorney General coming in to review and help reform the Vallejo Police Department,” Sen. Dodd said. “From use of force, to elimination of bias and improving training, it’s critical that we have an outside review.”

Sen. Dodd added: “That’s a positive step, but there’s much more we need to do. This week, there was yet another fatal police shooting in Vallejo – another tragic loss of life. My thoughts are with Sean Monterrosa’s loved ones. They, and the Vallejo community, deserve a clear understanding of the events that led to this shooting, which is why I am calling for an independent investigation. Justice must be served. We have seen too many families grieving senseless killings of African Americans and people of color by law enforcement. This must stop.”

The statement and action by the Attorney General follow a number of high-profile Vallejo police shootings. The latest was early Tuesday, when an officer shot and killed a San Francisco man, Sean Monterossa, 22. The shooting came in the wake of widespread protests of the police killing of George Floyd.

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Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.