Banning Police Chief Files $250,000 Claim Against City

Banning's top cop has filed a claim against his city of employment, alleging a "culture of retaliation" against him, city officials announced this week.

According to the city's public information officer, Banning was served July 1 with a Claim for Damages by an attorney representing Chief Leonard Purvis.

"The circumstances of the claim asserted relate to several alleged misconduct violations by Banning City Council Member Don Peterson that occurred in December 2012 and March 2013 respectively," said City Spokesman Bill Manis.  "The Claimant subsequently filed a report with the Office of the Riverside District Attorney regarding the alleged misconduct violations by Council Member Peterson."

According to a copy of the claim shared with Banning-Beaumont Patch, Purvis says Peterson asked him to violate state law in March and run his personal vehicle license plates to check the registration status.  Purvis denied the request.

"Since that time Peterson has launched a vendetta against Purvis, attempting to have him terminated from his employment by the City and personally contacting officers to encourage a 'no-confidence' vote against Purvis, in a clear-cut act of retaliation," the claim states.

The claim continues that the March incident wasn't the first negative confrontation between the two city leaders.  Back in December 2012, Peterson allegedly asked the chief to share confidential information about a police investigation into former Mayor Don Robinson-- another denied request, according to the claim.  

"Similarly, Peterson has sent emails regarding personnel matters at the Banning Police Department, indicating his preferences as to the outcomes [of investigations], thereby interfering in disciplinary matters," the claim states.

The claim seeks $250,000 plus legal fees from the city due to the "...severe anxiety and stress, and severe apprehension of the financial consequences should Peterson continue in his vendetta to have [Purvis] terminated from his employment for refusing to engage in illegal activity." 

"Peterson, acting in his capacity as Banning City Councilman, attempted to cause Claimant to violate the California Penal Code," the claim states.  "When Claimant refused, Peterson attempted and continues to wrongfully terminate Claimant from his employment with the City of Banning as Chief of Police; retaliation is ongoing and continuing as claimant suffers daily in his ongoing harassment and retaliation from Banning City Councilmember Don Peterson."

In the document, it's also stated that Purvis is concerned with his reputation, and how Peterson's alleged actions will affect it.

"Claimant had an excellent reputation, is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, having restored the reputation of the Banning Police Department as a respected law enforcement agency in Riverside County," it states.

The claim filed by Purvis-- who has worked for the city for eight years-- has been turned over to an organization which helps the city deal with legal matters, called the Employment Risk Management Authority, who will appoint an attorney, Manis said.

The only person with the power to fire Purvis is City Manager Andy Takata, according to Manis.  

However, if/when a police union carries out a 'vote of no-confidence,' that vote is normally presented to the city manager.

"Only the city manager has the ability to take action against a department head level type of position," Manis told Patch.

The city could not comment any further on the matter, as it's an active investigation and there is the potential for litigation, according to Manis.

As for Peterson, he tells Patch he is being targeted not because of these issues stated by Purvis' claim; rather, he believes the whole thing stemmed from him looking into other matters at the city.

"The government, has made an attempt to prosecute me for asking two questions," he told Patch in an email.  "Obviously, that is an attempt to get me to back off of 'ANY' inquiry I should make into the Police Dept.  Like:  Why doesn't Banning PD have a Narcotics Officer or Unit?"

Peterson also said he was asking questions about money spent by the police department on internal investigations.  He claims that amount to be $500,000, "...and more than that on settlements."

"All I can say is:  I am doing what the people have elected me to do," he said.