Charges send 'shock waves' across police profession

☛ State police chiefs association president responds to indictments

Charges send 'shock waves' across police profession

As the president of the California Police Chiefs Association, Richard Word hears lots of things from around the state.

But, Word said he's never heard of commanding officers being criminally charged for the decisions they make, like the case just getting underway here with former Eureka Police Chief David Douglas and Eureka Police Lt. Tony Zanotti, who are facing involuntary manslaughter charges.

Police departments and chiefs throughout the state have taken notice, and will follow the case against Douglas and Zanotti closely, he said.

”This has really sent shock waves throughout departments in the state,” Word said. “We're shocked. The e-mails are flying.”

The Humboldt County District Attorney's Office officially announced Dec. 10 the criminal grand jury convened to look into the 2006 shooting death of Cheri Lyn Moore indicted Douglas and Zanotti on involuntary manslaughter charges for their decision making roles in the incident.

Related:
April 27, 2006 SCENES FROM A SHOOTING - friends, bystanders, activists, police and the death of Cheri Moore
September 21. 2006 CAUSE OF DEATH - Questions answered and questions raised in the Cheri Lynn Moore inquest

Immediate aftermath:
ER Music, shots, then silence 4/15/2006
ER Investigation launched into police involved shooting 4/15/2006
ER Police respond to fatal shooting of Eureka woman 4/16/2006
TS Eureka shooting tragedy runs deep 04/16/2006
ER In aftermath of shooting, many questions remain 4/17/2006
TS Questions swirl around standoff shooting 04/18/2006
TS Haunted by the past 04/19/2006
ER Group gathers to remember Cheri Moore 4/19/2006
TS Police remain tight-lipped on shooting 04/20/2006
TS Lethal Weapon - Was it “just a flare gun”? 04/21/2006
ER Dispatch logs of fatal shooting made public 4/21/2006
ER Reserve judgment on shooting; question about timing lingers 4/23/2006
TS 'Force options' 04/24/2006
TS Shooting damage 'profound' 04/25/2006
TS City won't hand over 911 tapes 04/26/2006
TS 'Parallel' options 04/28/2006
ER Preliminary results indicate officers followed protocol4/28/2006
TS Shooting: ”Legal and lawful” 04/28/2006
ER Meeting about police review coalition turns to discussions of April 14 shooting 4/28/2006
ER Cheri Moore's son speaks out 4/28/2006
ER Idea of Police Review Coalition discussed with City Council subcommittee 4/29/2006
ER Moore shooting headed for Grand Jury? 5/25/2006
ER Civil rights suit filed in standoff death 6/14/2007

The Inquest:
ER Police chief said he stands by his officers' actions in shooting 7/21/2006
ER Coroner's inquest into police-involved shooting rescheduled 7/24/2006
ER MOORE INQUEST MAY BE TELEVISED 8/30/2006
ER Inquest should include still photos 8/30/2006
ER Coroner's inquest into death of Cheri Moore will start today 9/12/2006
ERWITNESSES TESTIFY AT INQUEST 9/12/2006
TS Inquest testimony begins today - 11 jurors sworn in for rare court proceeding 09/12/2006
TS Neighbors, friends and SWAT commander testify during inquest's second half 09/12/2006
TS The last inquest - Moore shooting circumstances far more complicated 09/12/2006
TS Witnesses begin testifying in Moore case 09/12/2006
TS Witnesses from the First Day of the Moore Inquest 09/12/2006
TS 'I was scared' - Officers who fired fatal shots testify 09/13/2006
TS Incident commander testifies at coroner's inquest 09/13/2006
TS Witnesses from the Third Day of the Moore Inquest 09/14/2006
ER NINE MORE TAKE THE STAND 9/14/2006
TS Officer, chief take stand in Moore inquest 09/14/2006
ER Final nine testify at coroner's inquest 9/15/2006
TS Jury makes three recommendations after inquest 09/15/2006

And then the tortuous delay fraught with threats - Rumors, Leaks, and the path leading to a Grand Jury Indictment:
ER A grim anniversary passes without resolution 4/13/2007
ER Closure necessary in Cheri Moore shooting 4/13/2007
ER Civil rights suit filed in standoff death 6/14/2007
TS Gallegos: Retrial will 'likely' delay Moore decision 07/13/2007
TS Countdown to a decision 07/23/2007
ER Moore case headed to grand jury? 9/11/2007
ER DA considers grand jury investigation of Cheri Moore's death 10/12/2007

The indictments:
TS Police Chief hopes grand jury proceedings are made public 11/08/2007
TS Grand Jury will indict two police commanders, says source (with archived video) 12/05/2007
TS Untested waters: Case against police commanders likely to hinge on 'criminal negligence,' expert says 12/06/2007
TS What is a criminal grand jury?12/06/2007
TS Who owns the 'facts'? 12/11/2007
TS EPD, other law enforcement turn out to support Zanotti, Douglas 12/11/2007
TS Arraignment in Moore case postponed (with video) Dozens show up to support former chief, lieutenant 12/11/2007
TS Moore Case Facts 12/11/2007
TS Gallegos to handle police prosecution 12/13/2007
link
TS Dikeman vs. Gallegos, Round 3? 12/16/2007
TS City could face hefty bill for Douglas' defense 12/18/2007
ER City to assist with costs of former police chief's defense 12/18/2007
TS Ex-chief garners $75K for his defense 12/21/2007
TS State police chiefs association president responds to indictments 12/24/07
TS TEXT OF THE INDICTMENT 1/5/2008
TS Key facts in Moore case 1/5/2008
TS Timeline of Cheri Lyn Moore case 1/5/2008
TS Key witnesses' past testimony 1/5/2008
TS List of grand jury witnesses 1/5/2008
TS Commanding police officers didn't testify before jurors 1/5/2008
Grand Jury papers to be unsealed in Moore case 2/20/08

Letters:
ER Ltr Everyone needs to be treated with compassion, respect 4/19/2006
ER Ltr Don't rush to judgment in police shooting 4/19/2006
ER Ltr Humboldt County's dedicated officers deserve better 4/20/2006
ER Ltr Joseph Humble should not have passed judgment 4/20/2006
ER Ltr Writer ashamed of police action in Friday shooting 4/21/2006
ER Ltr Patience, kindness would have worked in police shooting 4/21/2006
ER Ltr Was there quick justice in shooting of Eureka resident? 4/26/2006
ER Ltr Accounting of Cheri Moore killing necessary 5/13/2006
ER Ltr Why we're blessed to have Paul Gallegos
ER Ltr Where's the outrage over this death? 5/31/2006

TS Anti-establishment publicity stunt 12/18/2007
TS http://www.times-standard.com//ci_7786161 12/22/2007
ER Ltr Police officers put their lives on the line for public's safety 12/20/2007
TS Blue lights can show support 12/21/2007
ER Ltr What does the DA expect to gain from police indictments? 12/27/2007
ER Ltr “Dear Chief Garr Nielsen and the EPD,