Two former Torrance police officers, part of the city of Los Angeles, are charged with committing a hate crime after it was discovered that they had drawn a swastika on vehicles they had confiscated, the local police station revealed today (Sunday).
Alongside the two accused policemen, an affair was uncovered in which 13 policemen at the same police station in Torrance sent antisemitic, racist and homophobic messages to each other.
All the suspected police officers were dismissed and an investigation was opened into their case.
"This is intolerable behavior, and it is even more serious when it comes to someone who swears to protect the public, and participates in such behavior," Los Angeles County Commander George Gaskon said at a news conference.
The names of the cops who painted the swastika, Cody Waldin and Christopher Tomasic, have been revealed to the media and their trial is expected to take place behind open doors.
Officers painted the swastika in a vehicle confiscated on suspicion of being used to commit a crime.
The vehicle owner found the graffiti on the seat of his vehicle as he picked it up from the police parking lot.
The two officers are charged with committing a hate crime and conspiracy to commit vandalism.
Both claim they are not guilty.
The two resigned from the police last year.
Local police have announced they will investigate other complaints the two have dealt with.