State panel revokes former La Verne sergeant's certification after misconduct hearing

A state administrative panel voted Aug. 29, 2025, to revoke the peace-officer certification of Henry McGowan, a former sergeant at the La Verne Police Department, after evidence and testimony that McGowan sent sexually explicit images of colleagues, was untruthful during an internal affairs interview and was terminated by the City of La Verne for multiple disciplinary violations.

The decision followed testimony from city officials, recorded interviews and text-message exhibits introduced at the public hearing. The city’s human-resources director, Andrew Patton, testified that he reviewed sexually explicit images and videos on McGowan’s phone and later in the investigation received additional messages that were provided to the city. Patton described McGowan’s demeanor during a recorded internal-investigation interview as…