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2/15/18 – For quite some time, rumors have been circulating persistently around Banning, alleging that its small Police Department was at one time being set up by its former Chief, Leonard Purvis, to be taken over by the Sheriff’s Department. Purvis left the position of Chief in late 2013.

Only a few days ago, the issue resurfaced when an article on the website “RightOnDaily.com” (view) asked this very question, and pointed out that Sheriff Sniff and his henchman Purvis have a long history of, shall we just say, “working together closely”.

For those readers who are new to the subject, here is a quick primer: on behalf of his buddy Sheriff Sniff, Captain Purvis is currently “guarding” Sniff’s arch enemy and political challenger, Sheriff candidate Lt. Chad Bianco at the Hemet station. Bianco says he has been ordered not to wear his uniform and is also under orders not to respond to calls for help, neither from the public, nor from fellow deputies, no matter what the situation (see Press Enterprise Story).

So much for a Sheriff that constantly whines about his lack of resources. Even those unfamiliar with the inner workings of law enforcement can easily grasp why the Riverside Sheriff’s Association would decide to back Chad Bianco.

After all, what deputy would like to be left stranded somewhere without help?

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BOMBSHELL : POLICE CHIEF DIAZ COMES FORWARD CONFIRMING THE OLD UGLY RUMORS

With the allegations of an attempted underhanded takeover of Banning PD not going away, we reached out to Banning Police Chief Alejandro Diaz.

Diaz says he recalls a meeting with Purvis at his home in San Jacinto sometime during late 2013, shortly after Purvis had been ousted from his position as Chief. Diaz explains as reason for the meeting, that he delivered two assault rifles to Purvis, which belonged to him but had still been kept at the Department.

Diaz states that he had a “long-winded” conversation with Purvis and his wife, during which both stated that a takeover of Banning Police Department by the Sheriff’s Department was “inevitable”. Diaz recalls Purvis suggesting that he should apply with RSD and assured him he would be hired as a Sergeant.

Diaz says that Purvis proceeded to tell him about a plan that had been set in place between him, then City manager Andy Takata and Sheriff Sniff. The plan was to decimate the Banning Police Department, and get the Department to such a minimal number of sworn personnel that it would be impossible to come back. This would eventually force the City council to disband the City’s Police Department and hand it over to the Sheriff.

Diaz recalls Purvis indicating that for his part, he (Purvis) would be hired by Sheriff Sniff and assigned duties in Banning as a lieutenant. Diaz states that he was further told by Purvis that Andy Takata, the then City Manager, had the role of convincing the council to reach out to Sheriff Sniff for an estimated cost for services as well as convincing Council of the ”benefits” of contracting police services to the county (view Takata email here).

Diaz says he vividly remembers Purvis expressing his profound regret over the fact that the takeover attempt was eventually foiled, when word of a secret meeting between Sniff, Takata, and then Beaumont City Manager (and convicted felon) Alan Kapanikas got out to the Banning Police Officers Association.

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ADDITIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES SUPPORT DIAZ’S ACCOUNT

 We believe that Police Chief Diaz is telling us the truth and for that we highly commend him. But besides his account, there are other circumstances that appear to confirm his story.

For example, during that latter part of Purvis’ time as Chief (2013), there were police cars purchased that were kept at the airport brand new without being used. This in itself is highly suspicious as it falls in line with a possible attempt to undermine the Department’s effectiveness. However, what is even more telling is the fact that these unused police cars were carrying paint schemes that were not used by Banning PD, but rather by the Sheriff’s Department. Specifically, these cars had a black body with four white doors (Sheriff paint scheme), while Banning PD vehicles were painted with black bodies and front only white doors.

Further supporting Diaz’ account is the fact that Purvis kept the then brand new, $18M Police Station permanently closed to the public, except for 3 hrs per week, citing lack of personnel. As it later turned out, Purvis’ explanation was a blatant lie: immediately after taking over as interim Police Chief, Diaz was able to open the Police Station 9-5 weekdays, without the need for additional personnel.

Like nothing else, this fact alone seems to supports the notion that Purvis sold out the citizens of Banning by plotting a Sheriff takeover of a Department that was sworn to lead, with the apparent goal to ultimately paralyze it.

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CONCLUSION

In our opinion, the foregoing suggests that Sheriff Stan Sniff and Leonard “The Snake” Purvis should both be considered despicable characters of the sleaziest kind. When a Sheriff and his henchman conspire to undermine and weaken a small Police Department so they can take it over, they have become traitors to the people they serve.

Thank you, Chief Diaz, for coming forward with this information. Now we know who our enemies are.

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