The Shark City Scandal

The Shark City Scandal refers to the accusations of corruption and collusion within both the San Jose Police Department and the San Jose Mayor's Office to undermine public safety within the city of San Jose, California in mid-late 2014. The scandal receives its name from the urban nickname for the city of San Jose, Shark City, which was acquired when the National Hockey League team, , moved to San Jose, CA in 1993. The Shark City Scandal has also been referred to as the Jim Unland Affair.
From 2012 - current 2014, the San Jose Police Department has been faced with staffing shortages. One side, the Police Union (SJPOA) claims that the shortages have been caused by Measure B, a ballot initiative for city employee pension reform, which was passed by a majority of voters in San Jose. The other side, the San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and City Council members, who authored and supported the measure, argue that the SJPOA has been engaging in unlawful practices to force Police Officers to leave the department.
The scandal was initially brought to light when former San Jose Police Recruit, Elyse Rivas, wrote an opinion editorial which was published by The San Jose Mercury News on October 17, 2014. Rivas was employed with the San Jose Police Department for approximately 5 months before being terminated in the Police Academy for Firearm Safety. The article written by Rivas claimed that San Jose Police Sergeant Jim Unland, the San Jose Police Officer's Association (Police Union) President, encouraged newly hired Police Recruits to quit immediately for the good of the department. The article by Rivas further suggested that she was terminated without proper remediation training and accuses the San Jose Police Department of colluding with the Police Officer's Association (POA) to prevent her from becoming a Police Officer.
10/20/14 - POA President publicly denies the claims
10/20/14 - Two Police Officers and One Secretary who were present during the speech to Rivas Deny that Unland told the recruits to quit. SJPD Firearms training Officer defends his actions dismissing Rivas and claims the allegations against him are untrue.
10/21/14 - POA backed Mayoral Candidate calls for change in POA leadership
10/22/14 - POA Attorney goes to City Council Open Forum to challenge Mayor Reed about his own involvement https://youtube.com/watch?vw-wvt4tNlUc&listUUiwXkkwB76fR2KPDkw0KBKw
10/22/14 - Mayor Reed files request with DOJ to investigate corruption involving POA members, POA asks for same investigation within Reed's Office
10/22/14 - According to NBC Bay Area, "Rivas now acknowledges she did not hear Unland say 'quit,' but said it was clearly implied." "The POA fired back by calling for an investigation into Reed's actions, saying it was designed to help mayoral candidate Sam Liccardo's campaign."
10/23/14 - Tier 2 Officer who resigned comes forward and states that Reed's campaign manager offered him money and his job back to lie to media to support Rivas/get Unland fired
10/24/14 - New 7 discovers SJPD Chiefs accept free tickets to 49ers games, violating city/department policies... suggesting possible susceptibility of high ranking department members to corruption...
As of October 25 of 2014, the full extent of the Shark City Scandal is not known, but both sides have filed requests with the Corruption Unit, also known as the , for Federal government assistance in the investigation.

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