Board votes to decertify San Bernardino officer after video showed punches and knee strikes

The advisory board moved to recommend decertification of Officer Hector Victorio after POST presented body‑worn video and witness footage of a Nov. 27, 2023 arrest in which Victorio delivered multiple closed‑fist punches and knee strikes to a person lying prone.

Law enforcement consultant Michael Marshall summarized the event: after a high‑speed pursuit, the suspect crashed, lay face‑down with hands visible and told officers he was "on the ground, I'm on the ground." Marshall said body‑worn and witness video show Victorio delivering at least six punches and six knee strikes to the face, head and neck over a roughly 19‑second encounter. The victim sustained a fractured left orbital socket, contusions, lacerations and chipped teeth; the city later settled a civil claim for $450,000.

Officer Victorio acknowledged the discipline he accepted from his agency and described training he later completed; his attorney asked the board to consider remediation and training rather than revocation because Victorio had accepted discipline, completed additional training and had peer support. "I understand that I could have reacted differently," Victorio said, adding he had subsequently used de‑escalation techniques in later encounters.

Multiple public commenters and board members noted the apparent mismatch between a suspect lying prone and repeated strikes, and said such conduct raises concerns about the limits of acceptable force. After closed‑session deliberations the board voted to recommend decertification; roll call recorded unanimous support from members present.