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 “uncooperative, rude and extremely aggressive.”

The La Verne deputy police chief, Brent Hatcher, told the commission he reviewed personnel and internal-affairs materials and confirmed McGowan’s termination in January 2023. Hatcher said the city’s termination recommendation cited employee-handbook provisions and department general orders and that the department requested McGowan’s decertification.

McGowan, who testified in his own defense, acknowledged sending an explicit photograph to Megan Hall after a gathering following her written examination but denied having a sexual relationship with Hall. In his closing remarks at the hearing he said, “I need my post certification.” His attorney disputed aspects of the city’s investigation and urged the panel not to decertify McGowan.

Commission members heard recorded interviews in which McGowan initially denied sending explicit images and later corrected that answer during the formal internal affairs interview, testimony the department cited as evidence of dishonesty. The city also put into evidence text-message threads showing exchanges between McGowan and a separate phone identified in the records as the former chief’s secondary device; the exhibits included explicit images and commentary between accounts the city says were exchanged among department personnel.

The respondent’s counsel emphasized uncertainty about some investigative steps, noting witnesses who later testified under investigation and gaps in documentary trails the city relied upon. Commissioners questioned both the thoroughness of the department’s investigation and the seriousness of the conduct shown in the exhibits. Several commissioners said they were troubled by internal practices and by decisions to withhold or delay reporting to other investigative authorities while an election was pending.

After deliberation the commission voted to revoke McGowan’s state peace-officer certification. The panel directed staff to draft a final order reflecting the commission’s findings and policy rationale; the administrative judge and counsel indicated the order would be prepared for signature and filing.

The action is administrative and concerns McGowan’s certification to serve as a state-certified peace officer; the hearing record shows the city also terminated him from employment in January 2023 for multiple disciplinary reasons. The commission’s order will set out the factual findings and the legal basis for decertification and will be entered into the administrative record.