Planting evidence to train cops halted

Widespread criticism has prompted Huntington Beach Police to ditch a training exercise in which officers planted guns and drugs in vehicles stopped for traffic violations.

The practice gained a great deal of negative attention after a misdemeanor hearing in November when Officer Brian Knorr admitted to hiding a loaded handgun in the trunk of a Hyundai before it was searched by a rookie officer during a traffic stop.

The driver, 45-year-old Tom Cox, had been stopped and arrested on suspicion of hit and run, driving under the influence, reckless driving and possessing marijuana, police said. After arresting Cox, and while searching his Hyundai, Knorr tossed the gun into Cox’s trunk before a rookie officer inspected the car — then a routine training procedure for Huntington Beach police.

Police spokesman Lt. Craig Junginger said Wednesday that vehicles pulled over in actual traffic stops were rarely used, and only under controlled circumstances. Also, evidence was planted only after the suspect was arrested.

During Cox’s trial, which resulted in his conviction, Knorr testified he had planted the gun for training purposes. Police officials later exonerated Knorr of wrongdoing because he misunderstood the department policy that bars using a loaded weapon in the exercise, Junginger said.

Still, the negative publicity surrounding the exercise convinced the department to discontinue it, Junginger said.

Cox is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 15.