Major discipline · 2025[1]
Suspended 20 days- Rank as reported
- Senior Correctional Police Officer
- Sustained charge(s)
- (a) General Causes (6) a public employee (12) HRB 84-17, as amended B2 - , loafing, idleness or willful failure to devote attention to tasks which could result in danger to persons or property B8 - Serious mistake due to carelessness which may result in danger and/or injury to persons/property C9 - : Intentional disobedience or refusal to accept order, assaulting or resisting authority , disrespect or use of insulting or abusive language to a supervisor D7 - Violation of administrative procedure and/or regulations involving safety and security E1 - Violation of a rule, regulation, policy, procedure, order or administrative decision
- Separated while IA pending
- No
Plain-language summary (this site, from the cited record only)
On 9/13/24 at Northern State Prison, Senior Correctional Police Officer Randy Mendoza used force that was not proportional to the resistance presented by an incarcerated person, the Dept Of Corrections reported. Mendoza used a closed fist strike against the incarcerated person, who appeared to be a passive resister, and did not appear to give clear verbal orders beforehand. The prosecutor's office declined the matter for prosecution. A Use of Force Review Committee deemed the force not proportional, and Mendoza signed a settlement agreement for a 20-day suspension on 10/7/25.
Synopsis as reported by the agency
On 9/13/24 at Northern State Prison (NSP), Senior Correctional Police Officer (SCPO) Randy Mendoza's utilization of force was not proportional to the resistance presented by the incarcerated person at the initial stage of the incident. Although this incident was declined by the Prosecutor's office for prosecution as a criminal matter, SCPO Mendoza utilized a closed fist strike at the incarcerated person who at the time appeared to be a passive resister. SCPO Mendoza stated he perceived the incarcerated person as "Lurching" towards him when the gate opened which was not clear on body worn camera footage. SCPO Mendooza did not appear give any clear verbal orders to the incarcerated person to turn around and back out of the gate prior to the use of force by SCPO Mendoza. The incarcerated person responded to the strike and took a fighting stance and engaged the officers. The actions of SCPO Mendoza appeared to have caused the incident to escalate. On 7/29/25, Use of Force Review Committee conducted a review of the incident and deemed the force utilized by SCPO Mendoza was not proportional to the resistance presented by the incarcerated person. SCPO Mendoza signed a settlement agreement for a 20-day suspension on 10/7/25.