A few days ago, a young man made this complaint to the Eureka Police Department:

I am a college student in Alaska, my home state. I am currently taking some time to travel through the continental states. Today (April 23, 2010), my friend and I sat down for a moment with our heavy backpacks near the St. Vincent de Paul's cafeteria. After a few minutes, Officer Reyna-Sanchez walked past many people and approached us. A third person who had stopped to rest saw Officer Reyna-Sanchez coming at us and said “Don't shoot.” The officer then smugly told us that he had shot and killed someone last month. He then told us that we were trespassing, though there were no signs indicating such. Officer Reyna-Sanchez verbally harassed me, telling me, for instance that he could take away my rights and “You better leave Eureka... You and I will bump heads if you stay around.” 

"My child was beaten by (a police officer) in front of Eureka High School."

Excessive force against child

Letter to the editor

My child was beaten by (a police officer) in front of Eureka High School. Before numerous witnesses, (the officer) slammed my son's head against the pavement and against the door of his patrol car. My son is recovering from retinal reattachment surgery. We don't know whether his vision will recover.

This amount of force was unnecessary,since my son's offense was trespassing, roughly a half-block from the front door of our home, at 3:30 p.m. when school let out). In addition,(the officer) outweighs my son by at least 60 pounds and already had my son in a painful hold.

I have filed a formal complaint with EPD, but is it really possible for the Eureka police to investigate themselves fairly?