Media Release: City of Brentwood Provides Update on Investigations Regarding the Yolanda Ramirez Case

Contact: City Manager G. Harold Duffey

Phone: (925) 516-5440

Email: [email protected]

CITY OF BRENTWOOD PROVIDES UPDATE ON INVESTIGATIONS REGARDING THE YOLANDA RAMIREZ CASE

BRENTWOOD, CA - The City of Brentwood and the Brentwood Police Department are providing an update regarding the ongoing investigations into the incident involving Yolanda Ramirez.

On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at a legally noticed special council meeting, Mayor Susannah Meyer reported that the City Council and the Brentwood Police Department remain fully committed to cooperating with the independent investigation being conducted by the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office. The investigation is independent, and it is essential that it be allowed to proceed thoroughly, objectively, and without interference. Out of respect for the integrity of the investigative process and for the Ramirez family, the City of Brentwood and the Brentwood Police Department will not speculate or comment on matters currently under review.

During the closed City Council session, the Brentwood City Council voted 4-0, with one council member absent, to authorize the City's Legal Department to defend the lawsuit recently filed by the Ramirez family.

Police Chief's Statement on Actions Taken and Cooperation with the District Attorney

Interim Police Chief Walter O'Grodnick stated, "On Thursday, October 2, 2025, I notified the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office that I formally invoke the County Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident Protocol. At the same time, I directed our Professional Standards Unit to initiate a separate administrative investigation focused on policy compliance and procedural review. That administrative investigation was later assigned to an independent third-party investigator to ensure independence and objectivity.

The District Attorney's protocol team arrived the same day I initiated the protocol and were immediately provided with full access to relevant evidence, including:

• 911 recordings
• Body-worn camera footage
• In-car camera footage
• Police reports and related documentation
• Police vehicle involved in the incident

The Brentwood Police Department has fully cooperated with the District Attorney's Office. We have not restricted or limited the DA's access to any information the DA has requested. I want the Ramirez family and the community to know that I am fully committed to professionalism, accountability, objectivity, fairness, and adherence to the law and constitutional rights."

Planned Release of Footage

Consistent with the City's commitment to transparency, accountability, and due process, and given the progress of the investigations, Mayor Meyer announced that the Brentwood City Council has directed staff to release footage of the police contact with Ms. Ramirez first to the Ramirez family and then to the public, no later than February 28, 2026.

The Brentwood City Council and the Brentwood Police Department appreciate the community's patience and respect for the investigative process during this time.

Anyone with additional information or documentation related to this incident is asked to contact the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office, Bureau of Investigations at (925)957-2200.

Additional Resources

• Formal Statements: Investigations Regarding the Yolanda Ramirez Case
• Meeting Agenda and Video for the Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Special City Council Meeting

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