Some UC Santa Barbara Police Department officers are claiming retaliation after making whistleblower complaints and are now suing the University of California Regents.
According to Richie Litigation, the law firm representing the officers, the officers had reported misconduct, including misappropriation of public funds for private purposes and failing to address practices of nepotism. The firm says while the Board of Regents has said it is investigating the claims, it has failed to prevent retaliation against the officers.
The lawsuits also allege that UCSB Police Department leadership sought to protect the officers who engaged in dangerous or illegal misconduct.
The lawsuits seek an undisclosed amount of damages. Richie Litigation says additional lawsuits alleging whistleblower retaliation are expected to be filed in the coming weeks.
KSBY News reached out to UCSB for comment. A spokesperson said, “The university is aware of the allegations and is undertaking a thorough review. The UC Santa Barbara Police Department is an essential part of our community responsible for the safety of our campus. We value the service of the women and men in the department and expect them to adhere to the highest of standards.”
