Public Safety
Desert Hot Springs Officer Out of Job Following Viral Confrontation
A video of a Desert Hot Springs Police officer extremely close to a man and yelling in his face went viral. While some on social media said they wanted to know what led up to the confrontation, others wanted the officer dismissed immediately.
Five days after the incident, DHS Police Chief Dale Mondary says the officer is no longer employed with the department.
“Because of POBAR and the Peace Officers Bill of Rights, I can’t really comment any further other than to say that he’s just no longer working with our agency,” he said.
However, Chief Mondary does say he knew about the video before it made the social media rounds, “I have literally been sick to my stomach since Saturday. And I was made aware of this long before it ever went viral, because we try to stay on top of things… so we were already involved in this long before.”
He went on to say, that he didn’t like what he saw, “what I saw on video you know I was disappointed in the officer’s actions; we don’t want to talk to any of our citizens in that manner.”
Chief Mondary says the officer, who has been with the department since September 2017, is a former U.S. Marine, but would not comment on whether or not the officer has been disciplined before for similar conduct.
Also, according to Chief Mondary, speculation that this confrontation was based on race is incorrect.
“This incident has zero to do with race and while it may appear he, in fact, is a white male, he himself is a Hispanic male, that officer does not have a racist bone in his body and he has never, ever exhibited any sort of racial bias the entire time that he’s been employed here,” Mondary said.
Since the video has made rounds on social media, the chief says the officer’s life has been threatened, “The officer even got death threats which is just completely uncalled for, but the support of the community knowing that we would do the right thing that means a lot to us and our reputation. We do have to continue to maintain that public trust.”
He says the officers were responding to a disturbance, and there was some confusion on how the man in the video was involved.
KMIR also asked about the allegations of the other officers covering their body cameras. Mondary says they looked into the allegations, and footage shows they did not cover the cameras. The officers were holding the body camera, but the view was not obstructed.
Chief Mondary does want to make it clear that the officer did not break the law, “I want to emphasize that as strong as I can, that officer did not commit any crime at all. He did not violate that individual’s rights in any shape, fashion form that was a lawful contact, it was a lawful arrest based on probable cause.”
Mondary says the support from local residents who put their trust in him to do the right thing means a lot, and says this has been traumatic on the entire department and is healing.
Chief Mondary says the community’s trust matters, “We are not perfect and we are going to make mistakes … but we do want to do the very best job that we can … and we do want the community to have faith in us.”
The man in the video was detained, but was also released on the scene when he and the other party involved in the disturbance declined to press charges. However, the disturbance incident has since been handed over to the Riverside District Attorney’s Office since one of them was hit with the beer bottle during the altercation.
By: NBC Palm Springs
July 12, 2018
Latest Instagram Posts
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Sterling Conley with the rushing TD, 2) Marcus Kennedy with the touchdown catch, 3) Cade Pinon with the big time sack, 4) Kingston Pellum with the pick-6, or 5) Caleb Hartwell with the saving throw #fypage #fridaynightlights #football #hondaofthedesert #highschoolfootball
James Nellis from @dsrt_club_lq and @rd_rnnr_lq makes us one of his signature dishes, his Maine scallops with hibiscus puree. His creativity and skill lead to unique bold flavors and scrumptious dishes. We chat about his love of trying new things in the kitchen, what being a chef means to him, and how food can different, flavorful, and fun. This is James Nellis on a plate. See it now on nbcpalmsprings.com
At the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, first responders, families and community members came together to honor the lives lost—and the heroes who answered the call 25 years ago on September 11, 2001. Two first responders who responded to opposite sides of the World Trade Center met for the first time at the event, sharing a powerful moment of remembrance and connection. 26 flights. Three times. One enduring message: Never Forget. #NeverForget #September11 #911Memorial #MemorialStairClimb #FirstResponders HonorAndRemember 911
Palm Desert’s future takes center stage next week. The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 2026 State of the City Address & Luncheon on Friday, September 18, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort. The event brings together local business leaders, community members and city stakeholders for an inside look at the priorities, opportunities and future of Palm Desert. Friday, September 18 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort Palm Desert Individual tickets are $85 for Chamber members and $95 for non-members. Get the details and registration information from the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce. #PalmDesert #StateOfTheCity #CoachellaValley #PalmDesertBusiness #GreaterPalmSprings #PalmDesertChamber
25 years later, the memories of 9/11 remain vivid for the firefighters who witnessed the tragedy firsthand. A longtime FDNY firefighter reflects on the trauma, loss and moments that have stayed with him a quarter-century after the attacks. #911 #September11 #NeverForget #FDNY #Firefighter #911Anniversary #25YearsLater #NewYorkCity #Remembering911 #NBCTPalmSprings
A troubling history is coming to light in a Palm Desert husband’s death. 65-year old Vicky Kim is accused in the death of her husband — but prosecutors say she had previously faced several domestic violence cases involving him. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office says it had secured protective orders against Kim before a judge later resolved her cases as misdemeanors, released her from custody and terminated those orders. Now, Kim is expected to be arraigned in connection with her husband’s death. Court records allege the weapon used was a flagpole.
☕️🔥 How hot is TOO hot? A new study finds that drinking scalding-hot beverages may be linked to nearly 3 times the risk of esophageal cancer—the most common type of cancer affecting the esophagus. The takeaway? Let that coffee, tea or other hot drink cool down before taking a sip. ❤️ #HealthNews #EsophagealCancer #CancerRisk #HotBeverages #Coffee #Tea #CancerAwareness #HealthyHabits #HealthTips
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. The squishy craze!
Coachella city council unanimously approved an anti-nepotism rule that ban an any Councilmember from appointing a family member or household member to the city’s commissions and committees. Tune in to our 11 p.m newscast as our @newsbyalondra breaks down the policy.
An anti-nepotism rule will be discussed and voted on at tonight’s Coachella City Council meeting - that would ban city council members from appointing their own family members or household members to commissions and committees. Tune in to our 8:30 p.m newscast and our socials and website as our @newsbyalondra brings us the latest details on that final vote.