After a nearly three-month investigation, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office decided it won’t file charges against a Santa Maria police officer arrested in October on suspicion of domestic violence.
Investigators cited a lack of evidence in the decision regarding Israel Diaz, 25, who remains on paid administrative leave from the Santa Maria Police Department.
“It is our ethical obligation to file charges when we believe we can prove them beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury of 12 people,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Stephen Foley wrote in a Dec. 22 press release. “We have concluded that there is insufficient evidence at this time to prove any charges beyond a reasonable doubt against Officer Israel Diaz stemming from his arrest on Oct. 9, 2010.”
The officer isn’t out of the spotlight yet, however. According to Santa Maria Police Department Lt. James Ginter, Diaz remains on leave while the department continues its own internal investigation of the incident.
Diaz was arrested shortly after midnight on Oct. 9 by sheriff’s deputies at his Santa Maria Valley residence. Deputy District Attorney Ann Bramsen said the alleged victim in the case, Diaz’s live-in girlfriend, contacted the Santa Maria Police Department, which notified the Sheriff’s Department.
“It was not the typical 911 call for help in this case,” Bramsen said, adding the alleged victim cooperated in the investigation.
Diaz was booked into county jail on $25,000 bail and was released later that morning.
Santa Maria Police Lt. Norm Comé told the Sun that Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave immediately following his arrest—standard procedure when criminal allegations are made against a sworn officer. Comé said the department is awaiting results from its investigation before issuing any kind of disciplinary action.
According to city of Santa Maria Human Resources Manager Alicia Lara, Diaz has been with the department since June 2008. She confirmed Diaz was placed on paid leave on Oct. 10. As of Dec. 17, he has received $13,013.47 in pay, she said.
This article appears in Dec 30, 2010 – Jan 6, 2011.
