Police Chief Walker Case Referred to Unnamed Firm

CATHEDRAL CITY — An undisclosed firm was retained Tuesday to “handle” the personnel matter involving Police Chief Travis Walker, Chris Parman, communications/events manager, confirmed for Uken Report.

Parman would not reveal the name of the firm, how much it will cost, or other details.

In a written statement sent via email to Uken Report, Parman said, “Through our Joint Powers Authority’s Insurance Company, Employment Risk Management Authority, a firm has been retained today to handle this personnel matter.  Due to confidentiality reasons, we are unable to provide any further public comment.”

According to its website, The Employment Risk Management Authority (ERMA) is a statewide joint powers authority designed to provide broad coverage and tailored loss prevention services to reduce the employment practices liability (EPL) exposures of California public entities.

ERMA began providing coverage and loss prevention services to California public entities July 1, 1999. The program now covers more than 200 public entities throughout the State of California.

Police Chief Walker was placed on paid administrative leave Thursday and is under investigation for a personnel issue, Mayor Mark Carnevale confirmed for Uken Report at the time.

Carnevale said he could not discuss the reason behind the move, but vowed there would a “neutral.team” that will conduct a professional inquiry. That could take up to three months, the mayor said.

Deputy Chief Anthony Yoakum is acting chief during the Walker investigation.

The department has about 51 sworn officers and 32 professional staff employees. Cathedral City has about 54,000 people. It is the second largest community in the Coachella Valley.

Police Chief Walker joined the Cathedral City Police Department in September of 2016, as the Deputy Chief of Police. Walker was name chief after Chief George Crum retired in November 2017.

Prior to joining Cathedral City Police Department, he spent 22 with the San Bernardino Police Department, where Walker worked a variety of assignments throughout his career; to include Patrol, Bicycle Mounted Enforcement, Narcotics, Gangs, K9, Specialized Enforcement Bureau, and various Detective, Supervisor, and Management Assignments.  He also served as the Tactical Commander during the 2015 terror attack in the city of San Bernardino.