Call for Witnesses to a Reported Saturday Police Shooting

A few minutes ago, I sent off the following letter to Chief Vogel:

309 Cedar PMB 14B
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

October 19, 2015
Chief of Police
Santa Cruz, CA
Kevin Vogel
Dear Kevin,

I received an account of a homeless man threatened by a female officer with a gun Saturday 10-17 around 5 PM on Branciforte near the Hiway 1 bridge as he pulled out his wallet. It’s possible this may be off by a day or so. Please advise as to the status of the female officer involved (whether she is still on duty or on administrative leave).

Given recent concerns about lack of police transparency, I believe that full disclosure is the best course here. This requires public access to any video you may have in addition to that filmed by those in the neighborhood. Please clarify whether you will release police audio and video promptly.

The witness I interviewed noted the officer drew her gun and pulled the trigger. The gun supposedly misfired and the officer then arrested, handcuffed, and jailed the individual she'd stopped. The witness reports 6-12 police officers arrived on the scene. The actual reason for the stop is still unclear, and the man involved was released on a vague charge several hours later.

If you have any additional video, I again urge you to make it available. If you can provide any further information about this rather alarming case, please advise me. You may regard this as a formal complaint.

Thanks,

Robert Norse
(423-4833)

Tip of the Hat to John Colby for sending me the following:

"Look for the 3rd entry on page 1 for the arrest of Jeffery Patrick Helms on Oct. 19th, 2015 http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/home/showdocument?id=46192"

There was also confirmation from the police department that a weapon was displayed over the weekend at the Helms address.