Residents press Modesto council for police accountability and stronger CPRB powers during public comment
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Summary
Multiple speakers at Dec. 9 public comment urged immediate action on police reform, called the Community Police Review Board unfunded and "toothless," and demanded investigations and arbitration in the five‑year‑old Trevor Seaver case.
A string of public commenters at the Dec. 9 Modesto City Council meeting urged the council to take stronger action on police accountability, criticism of the Community Police Review Board (CPRB), and to advance overdue disciplinary or arbitration processes.
Ray Ruiz said he has been attending meetings for years since his son Trevor Seaver’s death and told the council he ‘‘doesn’t see anything that has happened as far as police reform.’’ His wife, Darlene Ruiz, read names of other people she said were killed by officer Joseph LaMantia (transcript spellings vary) and said charges in her son’s case were dropped; she said LaMantia had been promoted and placed on SWAT and that the family is still awaiting arbitration.
Harlan Diven urged the council to open an independent investigation into Modesto Police Department actions on June 14, 2025, alleging wrongful arrests and injuries to protesters and stating the CPRB is unfunded and ignored. ‘‘I ask that you make the recommendations matter for the CPRB,’’ Diven said.
Another commenter, Steve, delivered an emotional critique accusing the city and police department of wrongdoing in the Seaver case and described the CPRB as ineffectual. Multiple council members listened but the meeting record shows no immediate policy action taken during the public‑comment period; staff and the mayor acknowledged the comments and offered opportunities for follow‑up.
The exchange underscores ongoing community tensions over police oversight, CPRB resourcing and transparency, and calls for the council to either make board recommendations binding or to request independent review of specific incidents.
