MCSO Deputy Arrested on DV Charges While on Leave from Duties
A Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputy was arrested on a domestic violence charge over the weekend by the Ukiah Police Department (UPD), following a report from a concerned neighbor.
According to UPD Police Chief Cedric Crook, on Sunday evening around 9:30 pm, neighbors called to report a domestic situation in the 900 block of North Pine Street. “Upon officers’ arrival, they developed that there was probable cause to make an arrest of the male half of the domestic dispute,” Chief Crook stated. The male involved was identified as Deputy Thong, who was then transported to the Mendocino County Jail and booked on a 273.5 PC charge, which is domestic violence with a traumatic injury.
Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Captain Quincy Cromer confirmed that Deputy Thong posted bail and was released from the county jail. This incident comes just 10 days after Deputy Thong was placed on administrative leave by the Mendocino Sheriff’s Office. Captain Cromer cited regulations around personnel matters that prohibited disclosing details the personnel issues Deputy Thong is facing.
Chief Crook noted that UPD has responded to previous calls involving Deputy Thong, who lives within the Ukiah city limits. “I know we have been dispatched to disturbances involving that same officer,” the chief stated.
Studies show domestic violence within law enforcement families is two to four times greater than the national average, with many involved family members afraid to seek help due to potential repercussions. However, Chief Crook emphasized that UPD will treat officers the same as any other individual when it comes to crimes. “If there’s any type of physical altercation, somebody’s going to go to jail. It doesn’t matter who you are,” Chief Crook said, adding that he would notify the head of the appropriate law enforcement agency when dealing with off-duty Ukiah officers.
Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall told news partner Redheaded Blackbelt that he wasn’t going to “kick dirt over the problem” and would be as open as possible with the public without violating personnel policies. Many law enforcement departments, including UPD and MCSO, offer employee counseling programs and UPD is exploring additional physical and mental wellness resources for its officers. However, as Sheriff Kendall noted, “we do a lot of things for our employees where we create a great big watering trough, and we can lead them to water, they’ve got to choose to drink.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, resources are available through organizations like Project Sanctuary in Mendocino County.
