San Diego police Officer Curtis Doll is at the center of a criminal case involving allegations of embezzlement from a department bank account designated for the School Safety Patrol program.
Doll served as the director of this program, which is designed to train elementary and middle school students from nearly 90 schools across San Diego to safely patrol crosswalks.
Prosecutors allege that Doll misappropriated more than $3,000 for personal purchases, including various electronic items and nutritional supplements, using the School Safety Patrol’s funds.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office has charged Doll with ‘fraudulent appropriation by public officer,’ a felony commonly referred to as embezzlement.
At a recent hearing in San Diego County Superior Court, Detective Robert Korbecki of the SDPD provided critical testimony regarding the allegations against Doll.
In May 2024, investigators from the SDPD’s Professional Standards Unit executed a search warrant at Doll’s residence as part of the ongoing investigation.
Upon their arrival, they found Doll wearing a pair of English Laundry pants, an item reportedly purchased with the misappropriated funds.
The search of Doll’s home and workplace uncovered other personal items, including AirPods, nutritional supplements, holsters, and various electronic equipment— all allegedly funded through the School Safety Patrol account.
Doll has maintained his not guilty plea since the charges were lodged against him in December. His attorney, Kasey Castillo, stated via email that Doll is committed to pursuing a fair resolution, insisting that the allegations do not equate to guilt.
Despite the active investigation and charges, Doll has continued to receive his salary, raking in $122,000 in base pay and overtime for the year 2024, and an additional $34,000 through March of this year.
As of now, Doll remains employed with SDPD, holding the title of Police Officer II, as confirmed by SDPD spokesperson Lt. Daniel Meyer.
Under California law, officers can face severe consequences for certain offenses.
A felony conviction would strip Doll of his ability to be a police officer in California under state law enacted in 2021, which aims to decertify officers who commit egregious violations.
This case highlights years of suspected misconduct. Doll has been associated with the School Safety Patrol for several years, having taken on the director role around 2020.
According to Korbecki, the fraudulent purchases began in spring 2022 and stretched over nearly two years.
The array of items Doll allegedly purchased includes clothes, holsters, pull-up diapers, a display case for commemorative coins, a backpack cooler, and even testosterone supplements.
The program, which relies on funds from the city budget and parental contributions for uniforms and events, mandates that purchases must be conducted via paper check to ensure transparency and oversight.
However, Doll purportedly breached this rule by opening a debit card linked to the account without authorization, violating the operations manual he himself had written.
The deceptive activities only came to light when a new lieutenant joined the program and noticed the irregular purchases.
As part of her duties, Lieutenant Edwards began compiling a record of receipts and purchases, which she later forwarded to the Professional Standards Unit.
After reviewing the transactions on the program’s bank account, investigators flagged numerous suspicious purchases.
Some items noticed in the account were returned for cash, further complicating Doll’s defense.
On several occasions, Doll allegedly reimbursed the account for personal purchases, including a transaction for car tires, demonstrating an awareness of his actions.
Community members and advocates for police accountability, like Tasha Williamson, expressed concern about the implications of the case.
Williamson attended the May 13 court hearing, stating she was shocked by the evidence presented, which she believes undermines public trust in SDPD.
‘Parents did not put their kids in this program to have their money embezzled,’ she remarked.
In light of the gravity of the allegations, Williamson argues that Doll should have faced immediate termination or at least been suspended without pay.
She further criticized SDPD for its lack of transparency regarding Doll’s case, emphasizing the need for open communication, especially during difficult times.
The judge overseeing the case has determined there is probable cause to proceed with the prosecution, and the next step is an arraignment scheduled for June 17.
With Doll’s future hanging in the balance, the implications of this case will be significant, both for the officer and the San Diego Police Department.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the community will watch closely, hoping for accountability and transparency in handling public officials entrusted with the safety and welfare of its children.
image source from：https://www.kpbs.org/news/public-safety/2025/06/04/san-diego-police-officer-allegedly-embezzled-thousands-of-dollars-from-school-safety-patrol-program
