Torrance, CA – February 23, 2026
Torrance Police Department Officer Julian Vazquez appeared before the Civil Service Commission in an open public hearing to challenge his termination, which he and supporters describe as wrongful and unjust.
Vazquez, a patrol officer, husband and father of two young children, was dismissed from the department in April 2025 under former Police Chief Jay Hart. Hart retired shortly before a planned vote of no confidence within the department became public. The hearing, held at Torrance City Hall, has proceeded in multiple sessions, including continuations in late 2025 and early 2026, with proceedings conducted openly at Vazquez’s request.
Represented by attorney Tommy Yu a former Marine and retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy and detective. Vazquez contends the termination decision was “shocking and egregious, corrupt and evil.” Testimony has included discussions of internal affairs investigations, body worn camera footage, use of force reviews, and departmental audits. Supporters from The Resiliency Project and community members have attended sessions to advocate for due process and fairness, highlighting broader concerns about treatment of officers under leadership.
It was submitted in writing to the DA’s Office. It concerned sworn statements made to a judge. If true, such conduct would not only undermine the validity of a warrant, but it could also expose serious criminal and SB2 implications. To date, there has been no known public action taken by the District Attorney’s Office. No known action by former Chief Jay Hart. No known action by current Chief Bob Dunn.
As of today (February 23, 2026), that same supervisor (now a lieutenant) Jason Masalas has been reassigned from Patrol to the Investigations Division in the Detective Bureau.
“Tonight, he returns to the stand for cross-examination in Officer Julian Vazquez’s civil service hearing, a case that resulted in his termination, as well as another case overseen by this same supervisor that resulted in the termination of another Torrance Police officer represented by attorney Tom Yu. This is why cross-examination matters. This is why sworn affidavits matter. This is why transparency matters. When credibility at the supervisory level is questioned, every officer and every member of the public should care.”
“Integrity in sworn declarations is not optional. The integrity of the system depends on it. The outcome of these investigations carries a cost, not just to the reputations and careers of officers who should not have been terminated, but to their mental health and the well being of their families.”
The hearing has drawn attention to alleged patterns of injustice within the Torrance Police Department, with promises of additional officer accounts to follow. A recent session resumed on February 23, 2026, at 6:00pm following procedural delays.
“This is only the beginning. You’ll be hearing many more stories from Torrance officers who’ve been silenced. Today, we start with Julian’s.” – Tommy Yu
The Civil Service Commission continues to review evidence, and no final ruling has been announced.
Video Footage of the First Public Hearing 2-9-2026
Video Footage of the Second Public Hearing 2-23-2026
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