July 29, 2021 - Today, Merced County District Attorney’s Office Investigators arrested Wapinder Kang, age 34, and Harjinder Singh Heer, age 24, for violating Penal Code Section 181.1, False Report by a Peace Officer. Both Kang and Heer are peace officers employed by the Livingston Police Department.

California Penal Code Section 118.1 states: “Every peace officer who files any report with the agency which employs him or her regarding the commission of any crime or any investigation of any crime, if he or she knowingly and intentionally makes any statement regarding any material matter in the report which the officer knows to be false,…is guilty of filing a false report.”

In early July 2021, District Attorney Investigators received information concerning the false arrest/citation of an individual in the City of Livingston. The allegations stemmed from an illegal fireworks enforcement detail in the City of Livingston on July 3, 2021. Kang and Heer, were on duty and in police uniform when they executed an allegedly false arrest. District Attorney Investigators gathered and reviewed the evidence, conducted interviews, and recommended the filing of charges against Kang and Heer. The investigation concluded today with the arrests of both officers. Due to the COVID pandemic and continued emergency orders in effect at the Merced County Jail, both men were immediately released on citation to appear in the MercedCounty Superior Court for arraignment.

The Merced County District Attorney considers acts of dishonesty by any law enforcement professional a serious offense and will fully investigate any such allegations. Public trust is essential as law enforcement officials carry out their daily duties and enforce the rule of law.
Source: Merced County District Attorney