A troubling incident involving Doug Bowen, a current member of the Fullerton Police Department’s Chief’s Advisory Board, has come to light through video evidence and a letter submitted to the Fullerton Observer. The letter and video sent to the Observer have potentially troubling implications for the relationship between the police department and the community it serves, especially Hispanic residents
The writer of the letter, Abraham Cano, describes a confrontation marked by aggressive and racist behavior. Cano alleges that Bowen verbally assaulted him and his fiancée while they were out walking their dogs. The couple claims that Bowen, whose own dogs were barking from behind a fence, did not address his pets’ behavior, but instead exited his home to confront them. Eyewitness accounts describe Bowen shouting threats, using slurs, and invoking his position within the police department.
As recorded in the video provided by Cano, Bowen threatened to “beat the sh*t” out of Cano and repeatedly referred to Cano’s fiancée as a “bitch,” while also making a controversial threat to “call ICE” during the confrontation (the threat is audible on the video around the 4-minute mark).
When Cano called the police to report the verbal assault, Cano alleges that Bowen claimed he had personal ties to the Chief of the Fullerton Police Department and expressed little concern for potential repercussions, suggesting a troubling abuse of power. The video also shows Bowen acting in an aggressive and abusive manner towards the Fullerton College Campus Police.
Cano argues that such behavior from someone in a public advisory role raises serious questions about accountability within the department. As such, he is advocating for media coverage of this incident to foster transparency and pressure public officials and law enforcement members to be held accountable for their actions, regardless of their connections within the department.
Bowen was arrested on July 29 under California Penal Code 422, which pertains to criminal threats. This law makes it illegal to threaten someone with death or significant bodily injury. For a conviction under PC 422, the prosecution must demonstrate that the threat caused the victim sustained fear and that such fear was reasonable under the circumstances. As a “wobbler,” this charge can be pursued as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the situation’s specifics.
Fullerton Police Department Public Information Officer Kristy Wells released the following statement:
“Fullerton Police Chief Jon Radus is aware of an incident involving a member of the Fullerton Police Department’s Chief’s Advisory Council.
“On July 29, 2025, at approximately 5:51 PM, the Fullerton Police Department received a call regarding a verbal altercation between two individuals related to dogs barking at each other. Officers responded to the 400 block of E. Wilshire Avenue and contacted all parties involved. One of the individuals was identified as Doug Bowen, a member of the Chief’s Advisory Council.
“Following a thorough investigation, Mr. Bowen was arrested for criminal threats and transported to the Fullerton City Jail for booking and processing, which is our standard practice.
“As with any arrest, the case will be submitted to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for review and filing consideration.
“The Fullerton Police Department remains committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining the trust of the community we serve. The behavior involved in this incident clearly does not reflect the values and expectations Chief Radus has set for members of his Chief’s Advisory Council. As a result, Mr. Bowen has been removed from the Chief’s Advisory Council, effective immediately.”
WARNING: The video footage documenting the incident is graphic and has profanity and may be triggering to some individuals.
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Categories: Community Voices, Local Government, Local News
Thank you for covering this
“Cano alleges that Bowen claimed he had personal ties to the Chief of the Fullerton Police Department and expressed little concern for potential repercussions, suggesting a troubling abuse of power.” Not to worry. You can be assured that members of the Chief’s Advisory Council have no power whatsoever to abuse, or exercise in any appropriate way either.
He may not have the power to abuse but he behaved in a way that expresses complete disregard for position he held on the council. He was completely emotionally dysregulated. Makes you wonder what type of input he was providing as part of the council, thankfully he’s no longer on it.
He was overly aggressive but I’m tired of people allowing their dogs off leash. It’s a safety issue, even if your dogs are well-behaved.
ED Clarification: The couples dogs were on red leashes as can be seen in the video.
Commenter clarification: The reason this started is because the couple was playing fetch, so I guess we can argue about whether they were “on leash” but what’s the point of a leash if we’re just letting dogs run around freely while they wear them?
It’s not possible to play catch with a dog when holding them by a leash. Obviously the couple were walking the dogs by the leash, and then stopped to play catch with a little, even leaving the leashes on while they played.
Or they have a long leash
Yep, but. AFAIK it’s generally illegal to run dogs at large in Fullerton parks. I’m not sure a leash on that you’re not holding makes any difference.
I don’t care and would never complain if the person seems to have their pet under control. But if, despite training, the dog attacks someone or one of their pets, or runs into the street and causes a car accident it’s going to be on that owner for being negligent and creating that situation, since it’s explictly not allowed. They should be cognizant of the fact that they’re taking a risk.
True – but there is no time that the yelling man’s behavior would be acceptable in such a situation. I hope he gets some anger management therapy. He is probably kicking himself for losing all control. Although I have never gone as far as he did – I also have a volatile temper if I see something not right happening. The difference is when you threaten someone like he did the couple and even the campus police officer. And that you use your position as a backup.
Yep. Nothing about that situation justified losing his control. No one was in danger.
Leash or no leash those dogs were behaving better than Doug… I think Doug need a visit from the dog whisperer lol
Wrong! He also stated, if you listen carefully to the video, that their leash cord was very long. That’s why they were playing fetch.
Thb
I really like the way the campus police officer handled the guy. And I like that Fullerton police took action against the guy’s bad behavior and tossed him off the advisory council. Sure do not want such a personality advising police. I like the way the young man kept his cool and the way his fiancée spoke up. And I have to say those are the most well-behaved dogs ever!