The San Diego police department is dealing with a scandal involving officers accused of preying on women who they came in contact with while in uniform and on duty.
First, former officer Anthony Arevalos is serving an eight year sentence for molesting female drivers during traffic stops in the Gaslamp quarter from 2009 to 2011.
As a result, Chief William Lansdowne implemented changes within the department to help uncover the potential for other rogue officers to go unnoticed.
Then, on Feb. 9, Officer Christopher Hays was booked on criminal charges in connection with inappropriate pat downs that prosecutors allege were done for his sexual gratification.
In the process of the Hays investigation, another unidentified officer was accused of exposing himself and in appropriately touching a female in custody.
The department launched a new policy requiring two officers to accompany females in custody.
Here's a timeline of events:
Local
Oct. 30, 2013: Woman identified as "Jane Doe 1" was frisked by Officer Hays. She is later named in a criminal complaint alleging false imprisonment and sexual battery.
Nov. 10, 2013: Hays allegedly committed sexual battery in an incident involving a woman identified as “Jane Doe 2”, according to a criminal complaint filed against Hays on February 18.
Dec. 23, 2013: Hays is accused of sexual battery involving a woman identified as Jane Doe 3 according to a criminal complaint filed following his arrest.
Dec. 24, 2013: A fourth incident allegedly occurred this time involving false imprisonment of a woman identified as Jane Doe 4, prosecutors allege.
December 2013: After a woman contacted SDPD complaining about Hays' behavior during a "pat down," an internal affairs investigation was launched.
January 2014: Case was handed over to the San Diego District Attorney's Office for investigation.
Feb. 6: Chief Lansdowne confirms an officer is under investigation for sexual misconduct involving four women.
Feb. 7: Attorney Dan Gilleon claims a fifth woman has come forward with allegations that are more severe than what the victims before her may have alleged. His client claims she was coerced into giving Hays oral sex in exchange for her freedom in October 2012. She claims she contacted SDPD but did not receive a call back.
Feb 9: Officer Hays was booked into San Diego County Jail on charges of false imprisonment and sexual battery.
Feb. 9: Chief Lansdowne confirms five alleged victims had contacted the police to accuse Hays of improper pat downs and the sixth woman had gone to Gilleon.
Feb. 14: Attorney Brian Watkins said he represents a seventh alleged victim who claims Hays touched her breasts, "caressed her crotch, caressed her buttocks and then grabbed her wrist and put her hand on his crotch" during a pat down in October 2013. His client did not report the incident to police.
Feb. 18: District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announces two charges of felony false imprisonment and three counts of misdemeanor sexual battery were filed against Hays on behalf of four women.
Feb. 19: Hays officially resigns from the department. His attorney said Hays felt betrayed by his colleagues.
Feb. 19: San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne announces another officer has been accused of touching a female detainee arrested on suspicion of auto theft. The unidentified officer has not been charged. The alleged victim called to report the incident because she believed he was Hays.
Feb. 19: The department also announced a new policy that two officers would accompany every female detainee or arrestee going forward.
