SAN DIEGO – On March 23, 2024, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) attorneys conducted a critical incident class for members attending its 2024 Membership Conference in San Diego.

“The time to think about a critical incident is before it happens,” said CSLEA Senior Counsel Jim Vitko. “What will you do? Do you know where to find our 24/7 LDF hotline?  Have it programmed into your phone or have our CSLEA mobile app which will make the call for you.”

Critical incidents can be on-or-off duty shootings, traffic accidents, use of force or failure to intervene, explained Vitko.  

Topics discussed included the officer’s responsibilities in an OIS situation, the responding attorney’s role, whether the officer’s gun can be taken, whether alcohol or drug tests can be mandatory, and the types of statements made immediately following the incident.

CSLEA Director and SPPOAC President Matt Yarbrough, who was recently involved in a critical incident, spoke to those in attendance about the incident, CSLEA’s LDF response, and the investigation into the incident.   Yarbrough was on duty as a State Parks peace officer when the critical incident occurred.

“My LDF attorney beat everyone but the local detective there,” said Yarbrough.  “He called me a couple of times on his way up.  It was nice having him there so quickly so we could sit in his car and talk.  He had experience and was very helpful.  He was awesome.  He told me what the walkthrough was going to be like, we did a walkthrough, it was super brief.     They took photos of me, did a round count, took my gun but gave me a replacement.  My attorney was by my side.”

Following the critical incident segment of the class, CSLEA attorneys discussed Senate Bill 2 with members.  SB2 is new ground involving the certification and decertification of peace officers.  Some aspects of SB 2 are still unclear. 

CSLEA attorneys participating in the instruction were Chief Counsel Kasey Clark, Senior Counsel Jim Vitko and Senior Counsel Ryan Navarre.