SANTA MONICA—Lieutenant Richard Lewis who has been a member of the Santa Monica Police Department for the past 18 years is now under criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
“Lieutenant Richard Lewis has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the ongoing investigation. LAPD will conduct their own criminal investigation. Upon conclusion of their investigation, the Santa Monica Police Department will conduct an internal administrative investigation,” a spokesperson of the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News.
Lewis started his administrative leave from the police department over the weekend of July 27. No specific details on the criminal investigation has been disclosed to the public.
Lewis has been a member of the SMPD since 2001. He was promoted to sergeant in 2009 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2013. He started his career in law enforcement in 1990 working with the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Police Department.
He later worked as a member of the Arcadia Police Department in 1995 where he worked as a detective before joining the Santa Monica Police Department. He also worked as the Public Information Officer for the SMPD.
The Santa Monica Police Department will be conducting an administrative investigation, after the Los Angeles Police Department completes its investigation.
