A question and answer with Pleasant Hill Police Captain Matt Kristic regarding the recent SWAT operation involving an ex-police officer.
With much Monday morning quarterbacking going on from the community and others within law enforcement regarding the impression that Pleasant Hill Police Department left the scene, Kristic was kind enough to hold a question and answer session regarding the incident.
It was announced Thursday, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office charged ex-Pittsburg Police Detective Chunliam Nai Saechao, 40 of Pleasant Hill, with 9 felony counts for attempted murder of peace officers, assault with a firearm, and injuring a spouse. Saechaeo may have experienced a mental health episode.
Although no one was injured in the incident that began on Thursday, Dec. 7 on Cleopatra Drive in the City of Pleasant Hill and did not end until Dec. 9 at just before 8:00 am. This came after Saechao fired numerous shots from inside his house (rifle and shotgun) at armored police vehicles parked in front of his residence.
Kristic defended the actions of the department highlighting time was on their side because they believed Saechao was well aware of police tactics, aware of their strategies and they had to take extra precaution to ensure no one would be hurt.
It was also shared they believed he was heavily armed after being a police officer and social media images posted online. Upon entering the home after Saechao was in custody, police located ammunition and 8 guns, including a shotgun, .308 rifle, AR-15 rifle, and five handguns.
Kristic added Saechao was well barricaded in the home and well prepared for a prolonged standoff. He possessed 3 sets of body armor with heavy plating, a gas mask, bottled water, and food.
Here is the Q&A with Captain Matt Kristic
Although there was a shelter in place. Why was the neighborhood not evacuated given the suspect was shooting?
The homes immediately surrounding the suspect residence were evacuated. The remaining neighborhood had a shelter-in-place.
How did Pleasant Hill Police come to the determination that a man who had just shot his wife “not a threat”?
These decisions were intelligence based. Statements from his wife that she was accidentally shot by her husband while forcing entry through the barricaded side garage door, social media posts, and other intelligence sources made it clear he did not want to hurt the general public. However, his focus was on an armed confrontation inside his barricaded home with police. Suicide by cop while killing law enforcement in the process.
If this man was not a former cop, would any other suspect been given the same courtesy?
Yes. De-escalation as a tactic is now standard practice in law enforcement and in California it is mandated by AB392 and PC 835.
Was favoritism given to Saechao given he was a police officer?
No, absolutely not.
It was stated Pleasant Hill PD believed Saechao had “grudge” against police. How did you come up with that conclusion?
His focus through intelligence gathered was to commit suicide by cop and to kill police personnel that entered his home.
Given Saechao’s Twitter postings and voice messages, even at one point threatening to kill anyone entering the home, something was off, yet the police department SWAT team left. How does one think this was a good idea given he was armed and had weapons? Please walk me through this thought process.
Although the visible tactical SWAT element was removed, we never left the area. Police personnel and technology were used to monitor his movements and behaviors.
How many total rounds were fired by Saechao? What did the rounds hit? Vehicles? Houses?
Approximately 30 rounds hit the SWAT armored vehicles. It was originally believed that he had used his AR-15 rifle to shoot the armored vehicles. After service of the search warrant and CSI examination, it was later determined the rounds fired at the armored SWAT vehicles were shot from his shotgun. Only the armored vehicles on scene were hit by the rounds. There were no reports of any other vehicles or residences being struck.
With Pleasant Hill PD leaving the scene (SWAT), did it endanger residents in the neighborhood? Was SWAT still on standby after leaving? How quickly could they mobilize and come back if needed?
The PD never left the area. The SWAT element was removed to allow de-escalation to occur. However, surveillance and police presence was in place. SWAT was on standby and mobilization typically for entire team is one-hour with local members arriving in much shorter periods.
What resources were on scene after SWAT left? How was he monitored and were enough resources near the home?
Marked police units, undercover personnel employing direct and technological surveillance. Again, we never left the area. Specific surveillance tactics and tools cannot be shared as we (law enforcement) need to maintain confidentiality in order to effectively utilize these methods during future incidents.
Why do you say time was the best asset in this case?
With tactical de-escalation, time often allows for a suspect to sleep, to sober up, to reconsider behaviors and decisions, to calm. Unfortunately, with the time given, he did not calm, he did not sleep, and his behaviors continued and escalated.
Is perception reality in this case? Any regrets at this point now that a few days have passed?
Regret that we were not able to get more information and more timely information to the residents in the Sherman Acres neighborhood.
Although it ended peacefully? What are the takeaways from this incident? What can be learned from this incident?
Key takeaways were that overall this incident was successful…he was taken into custody and no other injuries were sustained by citizens, the suspect or law enforcement. A lesson learned from this incident was the need for improved communications with the affected neighborhood.
Previous Stories:
- Dec 11 – Pleasant Hill Mayor Issues Statement on Cleopatra Drive Incident —
- Dec 9 – UPDATE: Standoff With Ex-Cop in Pleasant Hill Ends:
- Dec 8 – Updated: Man Barricaded Inside Pleasant Hill Home After Shooting His Wife
4 comments
That little ad hoc “swat team” is a liability. They dont know what they are doing and were completely out of their element. Why do cities all participate in that liability magnet. Why is there all these different swat teams when the sheriff used to protect the whole county with a well trained larger team . The sheriff is above all the chiefs anyway.
The captain is lying. The public was endangered when the swat team left. They went from having the suspect contained to having officers only lingering close by. The armed and deranged suspect said he would kill anyone who came to his door. Were the officers “in the area” able to stop any civilian from approaching the door? No. This event was an epic failure. The guardians put everyone in danger by leaving. The chief and captain should resign immediately. Please let us know when the Pleasant Hill PD white flag challenge coin is available.
You have no idea what you are talking about. Suit up and let’s run you through some SWAT training and scenarios.
Just wait. At some point in the future, there will be another swat standoff with a barricaded suspect. The police will enter the house, and if they shoot the suspect dead, there will be litigation as to why this wasn’t handled in the same fashion. Your tax dollars will be used in terms of a settlement. That is as predictable as rain.
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