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By Francisco Ramirez
April 1, 2025 | Clovis, CA
CLOVIS — Concerns over police conduct and transparency took center stage at the Clovis City Council meeting on March 17, as residents voiced frustration with the Clovis Police Department’s handling of reports and community interactions.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, multiple individuals shared personal experiences they said pointed to broader issues within the department, including inadequate documentation, repeated traffic stops, and a lack of accountability.
Ashley Tigert told the council that her legal case involving a restraining order was nearly jeopardized due to incomplete incident reports provided by responding officers. She said the reports lacked key information and failed to reflect the seriousness of the repeated police calls to her residence.
“I had to go to court with nothing,” Tigert said. “The officers left out the most important parts.”
Tigert stated she was forced to escalate her concerns to the department’s watch commander after encountering what she characterized as a pattern of incomplete or missing documentation.
Leticia Navarrete, a resident of the Butterfly Gardens apartment complex and advocate with the Fresno Homeless Union, described what she viewed as a pattern of over-policing in her community. She said her son, who is on parole, had been pulled over multiple times in a single week despite not engaging in any illegal activity.
“We feel like we’re being harassed,” Navarrete said. “We just want to live in peace now.”
Due to restrictions under California’s Brown Act, council members did not engage directly with commenters. However, Mayor Vong Mouanoutoua acknowledged the testimony and said the concerns would be relayed to city leadership.
“We appreciate everyone who came to share tonight,” Mouanoutoua said. “The City Manager and Police Chief will be informed of the issues raised.”
The Clovis Police Department had not issued a public response as of Tuesday.
Speakers at the meeting called for stronger oversight of the department, with suggestions including independent review processes, improved officer training, and greater transparency in complaint handling.
“This isn’t about being anti-police,” one resident said. “It’s about restoring trust and ensuring that everyone in Clovis feels safe and heard.”
As the city continues to expand and diversify, several residents said they hoped the city’s public safety systems would evolve to better reflect community expectations for fairness and accountability.
