Baton-wielding California cop disciplined, could be stripped of badge
The San Bernardino police officer who was videotaped striking a man 16 times with a baton during an attempted arrest in 2024 was suspended by the department before returning to work and being referred to a state agency that could revoke his police powers, Police Chief Darren Goodman said this week.
Three officers were involved in the detention of Billy Lee Hill on June 6 in the parking lot of Kwik Stop Dairy at 133 E. 40th St. They were investigating a report of a man who had crashed a stolen motorcycle when they encountered Hill, a Kwik Stop employee who police say matched the description given to officers. Hill denied stealing a motorcycle.
Police body-worn cameras and a video shot by a bystander show officers attempting to detain Hill, who repeatedly questions why. When officers do not answer, he appears to resist, prompting attempts to handcuff him. One officer then tries to disable him using a stun gun, which Hill appears to grab. One officer then pulls out his baton and repeatedly swings at Hill using a motion similar to that of a baseball batter.
Warning: Video contains violence, harsh language
“The department completed the investigation and determined that the use of force was out of policy,” Goodman said in response to an inquiry by the Southern California News Group. “The involved officers received discipline. The striking officer received discipline and did not return to field duty until he received corrective training and measures were established to monitor performance and ensure the corrective steps were successful.”
Goodman did not identify the officers, citing privacy regulations.
The department forwarded its report on its internal investigation to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, which, under a law that took effect in 2023, investigates cases of serious misconduct. The agency, known as POST, can reject the case, rule that an officer’s misconduct was not serious, suspend his certification or revoke it permanently.
The law is designed to prevent officers who have been convicted of a serious crime or fired because of misconduct from getting work at other law enforcement agencies in the state.
Two panels, by a majority vote, will decide whether there is “clear and convincing evidence” of serious misconduct, according to the POST website. An administrative law judge will hold a hearing where the officer can defend himself before ruling. POST can then accept or reject the ruling.
Warning: Video contains violence
In 2025, 111 officers statewide have been decertified, according to POST data. The most common allegations are repeated commission of egregious crimes, dishonesty and physical abuse. The website lists some 400 officers whose cases have been resolved with some level of decertification or voluntary surrendering of a police certificate.
The POST website identifies disciplined officers by name and agency.
Hill was charged with resisting arrest and removing a weapon from a peace officer, both felonies. Hill pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on May 14.
Hill’s attorneys, Dale K. Galipo, Sharon J. Brunner and James S. Tyrrell, sued the city on April 2, alleging excessive force and false arrest and seeking an unspecified amount of monetary damages. The suit was preceded by a $5 million claim against the city.