Charges Filed Against Former Police Officer
City of Long Beach
["Long Beach Police Department"]
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A- A A+ Long Beach Police Department Media Relations 400 W. Broadway Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 570-5273 10/31/2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Release # Subject: CHARGES FILED AGAINST FORMER POLICE OFFICER Contact: Media Relations Detail (562) 570-5273 On Monday, October 31, 2016, a former Long Beach police officer was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in connection with an assault with a deadly weapon investigation. On October 28, 2015, the Long Beach Police Department became aware of an off-duty incident that occurred the day prior, October 27, 2015, involving a Long Beach police officer, which stemmed from a domestic situation that occurred in Long Beach. Upon learning of the potential misconduct, the Long Beach Police Department immediately launched an internal administrative investigation.   Due to the seriousness and nature of the allegations, the officer was placed on administrative leave, and his duties as a police officer were discontinued.  A criminal investigation was also initiated by the Long Beach Police Department, which was conducted independently of the administrative investigation. On June 20, 2016, after conducting an extensive and thorough investigation, the officer, identified as 34-year-old Toby Benskin, a 14-year employee who had been assigned to the Investigations Bureau, was terminated. The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division, who reviewed it and filed criminal charges. The complaint included nine felony counts, which included burglary, assault with a firearm, criminal threats, and false imprisonment charges.  The District Attorney’s Office subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Benskin. This morning, Benskin was arrested in the City of Orange, was booked, and is being held on $200,000 bail. “When we take our oath of office, we assume a tremendous responsibility which includes upholding the values and maintaining the integrity of our police department and profession,” stated Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna.  “When an officer betrays the public trust we have worked so hard to cultivate, they must be held accountable.” The Long Beach Police Department will not be releasing anything further regarding this investigation. For additional information, please contact the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. This information is preliminary and is intended for early information use rather than being a formal investigative report. About Long Beach Police Department The mission of the Long Beach Police Department is to enhance public safety through partnerships, while providing a safe City for all people. For more information on the Police Department, please visit us at www.longbeach.gov/police . Follow us on social media to stay connected: Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram . 