STOCKTON POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

22 East Market Street

Stockton, Califor nia 95202
(209) 937-7279 • Fax (209) 937-8387
stocktonpoa@yahoo.com

Earlier today I was made aware of the press conference of outgoing District Attorney Verber. First, the Stockton Police
Officers’ Association (SPOA) does not stand by the actions that have been alleged against Officer Tran and former
Sergeant Bloed. These actions, if proven in a court of law, are repugnant and will forever erode the trust in law
enforcement for many, particularly the victims in these cases.

The Association and our members do not tolerate the actions of those who would betray not only their oath but basic
morals and decency. The Association was disappointed that, while on one hand Ms. Verber commended Stockton PD
for our work in these investigations, she then discredited that work in the same sentence.

For Ms. Verber to callously allege that this Association and our members condoned the alleged behavior of Mr. Bloed
and Officer Tran is patently false. Our members were the ones who investigated, wrote the search and arrest
warrants, and ultimately placed handcuffs on Mr. Bloed. It was our Association members who were called upon to
arrest Officer Tran.

Our Association members worked countless hours to secure the necessary evidence that led to a warrant for the
arrest of Mr. Bloed. These same officers and sergeants had to rebuild trust with the victims in these cases to obtain
the additional statements needed to secure an arrest warrant with the goal of a conviction.

At no time was tolerance or preferential treatment given for this behavior and when discovered, it was dealt with
swiftly by our Association members. As Ms. Verber stated, “Good officers dislike bad officers more than anybody.”
This is true of this Association and our members. The work conducted by both the Special Investigations Section and
Professional Standards Unit of the Stockton Police Department is what led to these officers being removed from their
positions and their subsequent arrests. It is disingenuous for her to claim that the Stockton Police Department cannot
be trusted and that an outside source must oversee it.

Since first being elected in 2015, Ms. Verber has had every opportunity to investigate the Stockton Police Department
or refer any complaints about our officers to any State or Federal agency, but she never did. Only after being
decisively beaten in the primary election and with fewer than 60 days left as the District Attorney, does Ms. Verber
now believe someone should come in to investigate our Department.

The Association would direct the District Attorney to our original statement upon the arrest of Mr. Bloed. At no time
have we, nor would we ever, stand by his alleged actions or those of Officer Tran. We emphatically remind Ms. Verber
that regardless of the accused’s former occupation, Mr. Bloed is afforded due process under the Constitution. We will
reserve judgment pending the outcome in court and to prevent the appearance of impropriety by commenting on his
or Officer Tran’s guilt or innocence. We also look forward to the information being available to the public to see that
when malfeasance is discovered by this Association, its presence is not tolerated and is swiftly removed.

AFFILIATED WITH PEACE OFFICERS RESEARCH ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA