Baccari City of Long Beach CA2/1

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The major incident. Baccari worked for the Long Beach Police Department for more than 19 years. Her termination was based on two incidents, only one of which is relevant to these proceedings.1 The relevant incident occurred on October 5, 2016, at a time when Baccari was not on duty (and not in uniform). She drove her car out of a parking lot, attempting to make a left turn onto Crenshaw Boulevard (a two-way street). She made it as far as the center turning lane but then (when the closest traffic signal changed from red to green) got stuck by oncoming traffic, blocking northbound traffic in the number one lane.

Jason Sorge, a motorist blocked by Baccari’s maneuver, honked his horn, rolled down his window, and screamed crude

1Because the other incident was not “serious,” it was admitted. Baccari left evidence unattended at the police station, an offense that at most would have resulted in a one-day suspension.

2 invectives at Baccari. In response, Baccari rolled down her window, turned to face Sorge, and made hand gestures signifying that she could not move due to oncoming traffic. In response, Sorge reached for something in his car (it turned out to be a…