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The Atherton City Council is set to take up the question of who should police the police at the Wednesday, March 17, meeting. A presentation by police Chief Mike Guerra about police oversight committees is on the agenda of what promises to be a very full meeting.

The town and two of its police officers are currently being sued by Atherton resident Jon Buckheit over the handling of a domestic dispute in 2008. Mr. Buckheit was arrested on domestic violence charges, but he was later exonerated by a San Mateo County Superior Court judge and granted a declaration of factual innocence.

Mr. Buckheit’s high-profile case, along with other residents’ complaints about the police department, has led some to call for the creation of a police oversight committee. Peter Carpenter, president of the Atherton Civic Interest League, submitted a formal proposal to the town for an oversight committee that would hold public meetings and review police policies and procedures, as well as complaints.

The council meets at 7 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 94 Ashfield Road, Atherton. Chief Guerra’s report is online.

Go to Agenda packets and click on “March 17 Agenda Packet Items 28 through 31.” Use Ctrl-f and search for “police.” That will take you to Item 30.

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7 Comments

  1. Yup, let’s make sure the police oversight committee issue gets decided BEFORE Guerra answers to the issue of the doctored police report. This way, he can continue to claim “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

  2. Time to Sunset the Atherton Police Department! For some years now they’ve caused us nothing but embarrassment and expense. Their skills are lacking in both police work and public relations. They’re more like the Keystone Cops every day and it’s OUR MONEY they’re wasting. Atherton residents deserve better and there ARE alternatives to this overpriced fiasco. C’mon over to Town Hall tonight and say so!

  5. Elizabeth Lewis
    “We do have a new Police Chief, we have a new Sheriff in town. We’ve got to give this administration a chance.”

    This is her response to at least one Atherton Police Officer committing a felony against resident Jon Buckheit.

    She and other leaders are completely OK with the FACT that a Police Officer has committed a crime against a citizen/resident, and she has made no effort in the last 60 days to help Mr. Buckheit identify the officer who committed this felony.

  6. A big Thank You to Mayor McKeithen for her strong support for citizen oversight and shame on the other four council members for turning your backs on the community that you were elected to serve.

    Moving forward I will work closely with the Police Chief and the Town Manager to take whatever administrative steps as are possible to increase citizen involvement, understanding and support of OUR police department. I will also ensure any additional funding which is required for such efforts.

    We move on.

  7. Now there is a positive spin.
    “Move On” ward to where?
    Towards our downward spiral to the center of the earth where we can safely bury our heads?
    I’m pretty sure some one will notice we are M.I.A. eventually….
    but Thank you for caring Peter

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