Police brutality & misconduct are major concerns in National City. It has not been adequately addressed by any city official!

There have been several lawsuits on this subject recently: Raymond Sandoval vs. National City (recently settled), Bhandari vs. National City (resulting in Tony Wilson's death, settled recently after five years), Cummins vs. City of National City (ex-officer suing for discrimination and harassment) and Estate of Umana VS. National City (resulting in Brian's death). These lawsuits allege multiple violations by the National City Police Department.

Jesus Flores sued National City & the police department in 2017 and received $1.5 million for being shot by an officer who used excessive force. A $300k payment was made to Earl McNeil's family in 2020 for brain damage caused by NCPD that ultimately resulted in his death.

KPBS wrote an article titled "Violent arrest in National City raises questions about police brutality." One officer is seen apparently slamming a woman on the ground and then punching her twice.

In addition, there was a 2020 internal affairs investigation of National City police officer Nick Matthews who got drunk in a bar and got into an altercation where his "concealed weapon" was exposed. Despite not reporting the incident to the police department and receiving only a 10-hour suspension, he drove his department-assigned vehicle intoxicated. A few years after that, he made racist remarks towards African Americans and Asian Americans. The first incident involving Officer Matthews should have led to his termination!