San Bernardino County DA Launches New Unit For Crimes Against Police Officers

FONTANA (CBSLA.com) — The San Bernardino County district attorney has launched a new unit that specializes in prosecuting crimes against police officers.

Michael Ramos said the county has seen more than 2,000 assaults on officers in the past three years and he's had enough.

"We're no longer going to dismiss cases that involve peace officers. We've got to get rid of that whole perception that just because you put on a badge it says that, 'Well, it's part of my job to get assaulted,'" Ramos told KCAL9's Tom Wait.

Ramos said through the Crimes Against Peace Officers Prosecution Unit, deputy DA's will get new training and cases of violence against police will get higher priority.

Cpl. Kevin Goltara was shot by a gang member during a routine traffic stop in Fontana 10 years ago.

"I said, 'Let me see your hand,' and it took all of about a second, then next thing I know, I'm hearing some bangs," he said.

Goltara, who still has two bullets lodged inside of him, said Ramos' unit is a step in the right direction.

"It shows there is a priority for that...that assaulting an officer is not okay," he said.