The National Police Foundation (NPF) has completed its independent
review of the Arcata Police Department’s (APD) response to the homicide of David Josiah Lawson and released
its final report.
“The NPF review and analysis took a considerable amount of time, and the recommendations contained in the
report will draw new attention to this unresolved case and assist the Police Department with implementing
changes that will continue to serve our community well into the future,” said Arcata Mayor Michael Winkler of
the report.
“It was important to us, and to our community, that this report be released in full. The purpose of this analysis is
to identify current best practices in policing to strengthen the service we provide.
Transparency is crucial to
maintain building relationships between community members and our Police Department and for making
continuous improvements,” said Arcata City Manager Karen Diemer of the report’s release.
The 65-page report focuses on the first 72 hours of the Arcata Police Department’s investigation of the homicide
and several months following. This report contains 36 recommendations for the Police Department to implement.
Recommendations suggested by the NPF review team include making improvements to police training,
organizational leadership, planning, supervision and to include contingencies for responding to large-scale
incidents. While acknowledging that first responders should initially focus on life saving efforts as occurred in
this incident, the review team also identified issues and areas for the APD to improve upon, such as utilizing
additional management oversight for preliminary and ongoing investigations of violent crimes.
The review team noted that 22 public safety members from multiple agencies throughout the region responded to
Arcata to assist the APD during the initial response to this incident. The NPF is a proponent of collaboration and
encouraged the City’s regional public safety partners to continue to work together on cases that require significant
resources. This type of response provides the base for enhanced coordination in the future.
Following the time period reviewed by the NPF, the City hired out-of-area career homicide detectives to review
and build the investigative case submitted to the District Attorney in November 2018, and in February 2019, a
Criminal Grand Jury declined to indict any individual based on their review of the case.
This case remains an open investigation for the Arcata Police Department which is committed to solving the case,
bringing justice and holding those responsible accountable.
Anyone with information regarding the murder of David Josiah Lawson is encouraged to call the APD’s 24-hour
confidential tip-line at (707) 825-2590 or the APD Dispatch Center at (707) 822-2424.
CLICK TO MANAGE