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Report Outlines Possible Changes In Fullerton Police Department After Kelly Thomas' Death

FULLERTON (CBSLA.com) — The Fullerton City Council is holding a meeting Tuesday night to discuss possible changes in the police department in the wake of the beating death of transient Kelly Thomas.

The police chief sent out a memo to more than 200 sworn and non-sworn city employees that outlined updates in department policy.

It's in response to a final report prepared by Mike Gennaco, a private investigator hired by the city following the death of Thomas, 37, last July.

Thomas, who suffered from schizophrenia, was badly injured after a confrontation with police. He died days later.

Two Fullerton officers, Manuel Ramos and Cpl. Jay Cicinelli, were criminally charged and fired due to the incident.

Gennaco is expected to use the term "Culture of Complacency" within the department, suggesting police should take a fresh look at policies and procedures and not rely on the business-as-usual model.

Other procedural changes expected include officers having to start their digital audio recorders in the car as they respond to a major incident.

The District Attorney used these audio clips in the Kelly case.

Ron Thomas, Kelly's father, has filed a wrongful death suit against the city.

"Mike Gennaco will address that a lot of this wouldn't have been done without my tenacity. They murdered by son. They're going to have to pay for it in many ways," he said.

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