Sacramento Police Officer Facing Drug Charges
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CBS 13) – A Sacramento Police Officer faces multiple charges after police found him with various narcotic drugs on Friday night. 45-year old Isaac Knutila was booked in Sacramento County Jail but released on Saturday on a $10,000 bond.
"It's just completely appalling," said Kimberly Lacebal. "I'm speechless. I just find that completely insane!"
The investigation began back in October, when Sacramento Police received a tip that the officer was involved in prostitution activity. Detectives issued a search warrant on Friday night and found heroin, cocaine, amphetamines and marijuana in his possession. Along with the narcotics, detectives also found Knutila's department- issued firearm.
"I'm really disappointed and sorry to hear that," said Bill Castle, who lives in Sacramento. "It proves that there's a bad apple in every barrel but it's disappointing."
The 16-year-veteran officer was arrested Friday night near the Hilton hotel on Harvard Street. Neighbors in his El Dorado Hills neighborhood were surprised to hear about his arrest.
"It just makes you worry about everybody else, if all the other officers are doing the same thing," said Stephen Oldemeyer, who lives near Knutila's El Dorado Hills neighborhood.
"We hold our officers to the highest standards and I assure you that these actions don't reflect upon the hard-working men and women of the Sacramento Police Department," said Brian Louie, Deputy Chief with Sacramento Police Department. "We have dedicated a vast amount of internal and external resources to investigate these allegations."
Sacramento Police Department has enlisted the help of outside agencies, surveillance and undercover operations. According to Sacramento PD's 2005 Annual Report, Knutila received a Bronze Medal of Valor award 11 years ago.
"I hope they don't let him go back to the force ever," Oldemeyer said.
Knutila now faces four misdemeanors and one felony including possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, possession of more than one ounce of marijuana and possession of amphetamines.
He's currently on paid administrative leave pending termination, but Oldemeyer doesn't think the officer should get any special treatment.
"It shouldn't be no different, they just- like everybody else if they got caught with that stuff they'd go to prison," he said.
At this point, detectives don't believe Knutila committed any criminal activity while he was on duty, but the investigation is ongoing. Knutila is expected to be in court on Tuesday afternoon.
