On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council approved a consulting services agreement with a company owned by former Police Chief Brian Addington.
The sole source $225k contract with WBA Consulting and Investigations LLC, a company Addington founded, was approved in a 3-0 vote with Councilmembers Tamisha Torres-Walker and Monica Wilson absent. The city was seeking a qualified consultant team that could provide support, guidance, and advice in several areas, which will support and enhance the Antioch Police Department’s efficiency and effectiveness.
Antioch City Manager Bessie M. Scott explained Tuesday this was a sole source contract with Chief Addington remaining on to help the Antioch Police Department in several key areas which included:
- Police disciplinary matters
- Policy reviews and implementation
- Setting up the settlement agreement
- Community engagement
- Crime reduction strategies
- Special assignments
- Assistance to Chief Vigil
“The staff asked that this sole source be recognized because it is unique in terms of his particular ability to understand the dynamics and needs of the Antioch Police Department,” said Scott.
The contract approval comes a week City Manager Bessie Marie Scott announced that Antioch Police Chief Joe Vigil will succeed Acting Police Chief Brian Addington, who was retiring. Addington was hired back in February of 2024 as interim chief.
It also comes less than two weeks after the Department of Justice announced on January 3, it reached an agreement with the City of Antioch resolving its race discrimination investigation–that investigation began when Chief Addington, was police chief of the Pittsburg Police Department where the text messaging scandal started.
Under the agreement:
APD will hire an expert law enforcement consultant jointly selected by the parties to review and update APD’s policies, procedures and training on a variety of topics, including non-discriminatory policing, use of force, hiring and promotions, investigations of misconduct, discipline, community policing, language access, and other topics. The agreement contemplates a role for the Antioch Police Oversight Commission and sets forth a framework for data collection and reporting for a five-year period of departmental monitoring, among other provisions.
Prior to the 3-0 vote, there was no discussion by Mayor Ron Bernal and councilmembers Don Freitas and Louie Rocha as they simply voted on the item without any questions asked.
According to the contract, the Consulting Services Agreement between the City of Antioch and WBA Consulting & Investigative Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $225,000 for a term ending June 30, 2025 with a one-time extension for an additional six (6) months for the same terms.
Unanswered Questions:
- Why did the city feel the need to go to a sole source vs. putting it out to bid?
- Was WBA Consulting and Investigations LLC considered or approached while Addington was still police chief?
- When did the DOJ seek a consultant to assist APD policies? What was the timeline between request and contract award?
- Was any other firm considered prior to the sole source award? If so, how many?
- Did Antioch interview/talk with any other firm about the services to be provided? If so, how many?
1 comment
What a scam. Dude replaces an acting chief whos completely unqualified . Becomes acting chief on a fat contract. Antioch does nothing to find an actual chief. Then this dude suddenly retires again and conveniently has a consulting job to consult the now again unqualified acting chief. This stinks. Antioch is run by morons.
Nobody sees any conflict here?
Addington is a con man. Pittsburg has been corrupt for years under his reign. The corrupt, racist cop thing began in Pittsburg and Addington bailed.
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