A San Diego police officer who left to take a job in Hemet quit that department after just 30 days, alleging in a legal claim that he was forced out due to rampant corruption.

Officer Anthony Kitchen, now back with the San Diego Police Department, alleged in a claim against Hemet that officers in the southwest Riverside County city physically abused a suspect, destroyed evidence and declined to arrest a man because he was the friend of a sergeant.

The Hemet Police Department also uses the term “Canadians” as a derogatory reference to African-Americans, the complaint states.

“This is an example of cops policing their own,” said San Diego attorney Dan Gilleon, who is representing Kitchen in his dispute with the city of Hemet. “This is a departure from the ‘thin blue line’ policy of silence that has resulted in so many cases of police abuse.”


Hemet city officials did not respond to questions from The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Kitchen left San Diego to join the Hemet Police Department in September. The smaller agency is closer to his Murrieta home and he was lured away in part due to a $10,000 signing bonus — money the city now wants repaid.

According to the claim, Kitchen was troubled by numerous police practices and eventually was forced to resign due to activities he viewed as illegal.

“During the detention of an intoxicated person, another officer working with claimant found crystal methamphetamine in the detainee’s pocket, but the field training officer (FTO) supervising both officers destroyed the evidence,” the claim states.


“During the handling of a prisoner who was being loud, a corporal told claimant, ‘Kitchen, control your suspect,’ at which point the same FTO walked up, grabbed the prisoner’s head and slammed it into the wall several times, exclaiming, ‘That’s how you control a suspect,’” the claim adds.

The document also alleges that Kitchen was told not to arrest a domestic-violence suspect because he was an acquaintance of a Hemet police sergeant, a practice that “was different than San Diego because Hemet was a ‘small town,’” the claim said.

In addition to a legal determination that Kitchen is entitled to keep the signing bonus, the claim seeks lost wages, benefits and other special damages.


Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35

jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald