2 Riverside police officers sent to ‘character building class’ for breaking skateboard
Two Riverside police officers — one who smashed a resident’s skateboard and another who photographed the damaged board in a crime recorded by a surveillance camera — were sentenced to community service on Thursday, April 3, after agreeing to a diversion program in a misdemeanor vandalism case.
Timothy Rolland Popplewell, 35, and Andrew Jason Price, 28, appeared at the Riverside County Hall of Justice before Superior Court Commissioner Stepanie Field, who ordered each of them to pay a $100 fine, serve 48 hours of community service and attend a “responsibility and character building class,” according to court records.
If the officers complete the terms of the sentence, the charges could be dismissed at a hearing scheduled for Oct. 3.
The District Attorney’s Office objected to the diversion program on behalf of the victim but did not suggest an alternative resolution, said John Hall, a DA’s spokesman.
Restitution has already been made to the victim, Hall added.
Vandalism is a misdemeanor when the value of the damage is less than $400. A conviction can carry as much as one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The Police Department is continuing its internal investigation, which could result in discipline, said Officer Ryan Railsback, a department spokesman. The officers remain on duty and are assigned to the Problem-Oriented Policing Team, which addresses issues such as quality of life concerns and general nuisances.
It was on one such call that the skateboard was broken on Jan. 21.
Police went to a home to assist code enforcement officers, Railsback said. Images from a neighbor’s surveillance camera show five police officers and a code enforcement officer entering a backyard. The police officers mill about before one notices a skateboard. He places it on the ground and attempts to ride it and do tricks. Another police officer climbs aboard and rocks back and forth. A third then attempts to ride it but stops and laughs about it.
As the contingent leaves the yard, two police officers stay back. One can be heard saying “smash” and is seen pointing. The other grabs what appears to be a pick axe. That officer then slams his right foot on the middle of the board. He looks at the other officer and does it again, and this time the board caves in.
The resident filed a complaint the next day, and investigators learned of the video the day after that, Railsback said.
No one has publicly said which officer vandalized the skateboard. The officers’ attorney could not be reached for comment Thursday.
“This behavior is unacceptable and does not reflect the standards of the Riverside Police Department,” Chief Larry Gonzalez said in a Facebook post announcing the internal investigation.