Former Sergeant Accused of Robbery, Sexual Battery, and Drug Possession ‘No Longer Employed’, Says Ukiah Police Chief Justin Wyatt
Booking photo of former Ukiah Police Sergeant Kevin Murray.
Ukiah Police Chief Justin Wyatt announced this afternoon via a Facebook video that Sergeant Kevin Murray “is no longer employed with the Ukiah Police Department.” Chief Wyatt explained that criminal and internal investigations resulted in Murray’s dismissal and accusations of several crimes, including burglary, sexual battery, possession of methamphetamine, and a violation of civil rights stemming from excessive use of force.
Speaking to his and the department’s reactions to Murray’s behavior, Chief Wyatt said, “As your police chief, let me say, the department joins with the community in the rejection of this behavior and the shock and disappointment being felt about this.”
The charges Murray faces are a result of one or more incidents that took place at Ukiah’s Super 8 Motel at 693 South Orchard Avenue on November 25, 2020 and the crimes are “connected together in their commission,” according to a criminal complaint filed by the Mendocino County District Attorney.
Chief Wyatt said the department learned of the potential misconduct in late November and “reacted right away,” placing Murray on leave “in accordance with our policy and personnel law.”
Upon learning of the accusations stemming from actions taken on the evening of November 25, 2020, Chief Wyatt said the department “reached out to the district attorney immediately and asked for a criminal investigation into Murray’s conduct the evening of November 25, 2020.”
Chief Wyatt assured that “the department has remained fully transparent with the District Attorney within the limits of the law as both the criminal investigation and the formal internal investigation has progressed.”
The recent charges Murray faces are not the first time his professional conduct has been called into question. A civil rights lawsuit filed by Ukiah resident Christopher Rasku alleges on October 18, 2018, Murray entered Rasku’s home unlawfully, knocking him unconscious, and proceeded to punch and kick him, causing broken ribs, a punctured lung, and nerve damage. Murray allegedly wrote a falsified police report claiming Rasku started the encounter.
Chief Wyatt felt compelled to share the steps taken after Murray’s actions in November came to light because “I want the community to know we acted swiftly. It is because we took this matter seriously, and the manner in which it was handled, that Murray is answering in the criminal courts for his actions.”
“Both the community and the department looks forward to a resolution within the criminal justice system that holds Murray accountable for his behavior,” Chief Wyatt added.
Addressing the ethical obligation of law enforcement, Chief Wyatt asserted, “There is no question, police conduct must be of the highest standards. We must have the confidence and the trust of the community that we protect.” He added, “The law enforcement profession demands integrity so there is no room in public service and there must be no tolerance for the behavior that was portrayed that evening.”
“The conduct in this case in no way reflects the standards of the city of Ukiah or the Ukiah Police Department,” Chief Wyatt made clear.
Chief Wyatt reminded the community that “this individual’s actions are absolutely not a reflection of the hard-working men and women of the Ukiah Police Department. We remain committed to this community and providing the highest level of law enforcement services.”
Earlier: Ukiah Police Sergeant Faces Charges of Sexual Battery, Burglary, and Drug Possession
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
I absolutely hear you Chief Wyatt. This is definitely not something to be taken lightly. The really sucky situation if you want to lay it out is that the police are so intimidating. Oftentimes minor, minor, minor things get blown into serious issues and Way Beyond what they need to be.. let’s pray on the homeless drunk guy and arrested for the 30th time in the last 4 months . Meanwhile I can deal mess out of the back of my patrol car . I’ve said this before this officer was not allowed he had friends on the force they don’t do this shit by their selves . And then other times anything-goes especially if the cops are doing it no big deal. Bullying, practicing law in the field and telling someone everything they know about the law. Forcing issues and crimes to fit a Cinderella Slipper carefully crafted so all but them are evil criminals. That’s not the way it’s supposed to be the police officers are not judge jury and convictiontioner. The cops are more criminal than the drunks they live to pick on DAMN!!! Yes..A few good officers are around, but Im sure they get bullied too for doing what they are supposed to do. Body cams should be MANDATORY. There must be ZERO tolerance for agressive bullying officers.
Body cameras should absolutely be mandatory. On at the start of a shift and never off. Two in every car/truck as well. One for the interior and one forward facing. These folks are well paid and don’t need to be doing anything in secret. Instead of defunding the police, we should fund them well and demand excellence and accountability.
This may be the first time I’ve agreed with one of your comments, I like stars. They should be expected to be excellent and accountable. Body cameras for sure.
Lately, I’ve been thinking some LEOs got into the force to be like Denzel Washington in training day. To be straight up criminals. With no accountability.
I was raised to always feel like my parents eyes were on me and that feeling never left, the (look in your eyes) thing. All public servants needs to be directly surveilled while preforming their duty’s.
I was raised to always make a donation to the cops. If they said no there was a thousand ways to make them take the money. One time I threw it on the ground after 5 minuets of word play. Regardless, they always took the money.
Cop = Gangster with a badge.
Very very very very rarely will you find a good one. Chances are there afraid of the brand and will simply become forgetful.
Kringle = Idiot with a keyboard.
Very very very very rarely will you find a good one. Chances are there afraid of the brand and will simply become forgetful.
His profile photo is a splitting image of a coked out of his gourd alcoholic Donald Trump jr.
stay focused B M T
Probably the main reason he was released from the PD was the story got out to the public, making it a bit more difficult for the cops to cover it up and blame the victim
Thank you
A friend of mine shit in the backseat of one of the officers cars. A couple days later I was arrested because I matched the description of another man who was wanted for urinating on a gas pump at Walmart quickstopin the box. I was treated humane as u can expect a a wild human as myself lol… But he was polite and had a good sense of humor as I recall… I wonder what happened to him to cause such a different approach from an officer I felt to be of most professional behavior at that point from the upd
On drugs is what changed him maybe
Transparent California
If he is found guilty criminally and administrative charges are sustained, that pension will go back to the coffers. Most pension systems have a mechanism for employees that are fired. Also, It is common for a criminal court to include a monetary penalty along with a sentencing.
If all these things happen, there will be no money for the former Sergeant.
I was disgusted by what Murray did. My hope is that he will be prosecuted and sent to jail. Not probation and a fine, but real jail. The community is so tired of bad cops getting a slap on the wrist. I agree with what I read earlier..Murray couldn’t have done this without others knowing. Did the investigation include his friends/partners? Officers like Murray are very dangerous, being on drugs and carrying a gun. Fabulous. Just what we friggin need!
I was under the impression they didn’t make nearly that much? Man was I wrong! And I agree with the comments he didn’t act alone or at the least another “verified” his false report. Not right what so ever…. Body cams as soon as you clock in, no exceptions!!