D.A. won’t charge Chula Vista cop

The San Diego District Attorney’s office said they will not file criminal charges against a Chula Vista police officer accused of making criminal threats to harm his girlfriend in March.

“We’ve decided not to file any charges,” said Barbara Medina, media specialist for the San Diego County District Attorney’s office.

The District Attorney’s office rejected the case on May 15, two-months after Chousal’s arrest.

Medina said she could not talk specifically about the case or state why charges where not filed but that they were not be able to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Chula Vista Police Capt. Eric Thunberg has confirmed that Chousal, who was placed on paid administrative leave immediately following his arrest, has returned to full duty.

It is the Chula Vista Police Department’s policy to place an officer on paid administrative leave when faced with any misconduct allegations or after being arrested. Paid administrative leave includes the suspension of peace officer powers including turning in all police issued weapons and police identification.

Thunberg decline to state when Chousal returned to duty and said he will not provide further comment.

“Internal investigations are confidential,” Thunberg said in an email Monday. “Therefore, we do not have any other information to release.

Thunberg said officer personnel records are confidential by law. Those records include any discipline and results.

San Diego Police Department arrested Leopoldo Chousal in the 64000 block of Potomac Street on March 14 in response to an off-duty domestic violence incident.
During the incident, it was alleged the suspect, Chousal, 27, made criminal threats to harm his girlfriend, SDPD stated in a news release.

In their own news release, the Chula Vista Police Department said Chousal returned to the residence where the alleged incidient happened later that night.

Chousal, a four-year veteran of the department, did not respond to requests for comment.