If the James Whitchurch arrested on Christmas Eve is the EPD officer, these are serious charges and the public deserves an answer

"Good evening, 

I rather appreciate your blog and enjoy reading your articles. I wish we had more truly independent journalists like yourself. So for that, thank you for what you do. It certainly isn't unnoticed. 

I wish to remain anonymous for this email but please use the contents for whatever you wish. 

Mr. Chiv, over the holiday weekend I noticed something rather interesting. On 12/24/2025 James “Jimmy” Whitchurch was arrested by CHP for CVC 23152(a), CVC 23251(b) and PC 273a(b). I’m not much of a legal statue guru but a quick google search showed what those codes meant. James is an Officer for EPD and while it’s a personnel issue, the arrest itself is a matter of public record. Just found it interesting an EPD Officer would be arrested for DUI and child endangerment all the while EPD is on a driver safety mission. Seems sorta ironic given the three major traffic accidents that occurred today. "

Until I hear back from Eureka Police Department or get other verification, I cannot confirm whether the James Michael Whitchurch who was arrested by CHP on December 24, 2025 for VC 23152 (a) DUI, VC  23152 (b) blood alcohol above the legal limit and PC273a(b) wilful cruelty to a child is the EPD officer. The man arrested was released on O.R approximately five and half hours later, which the Humboldt jail does often, when the person is sober.

I want to thank the person who sent me this tip properly and provided evidence that I could look up and verify.

I received this email a few minutes ago. Due to the Ninth Circuit ruling, I cannot post the booking photo but I compared it to the photos provided to me by the person who sent the email, checked those photos myself on Facebook and the dob.

The photos match. The personal Facebook page only lists that Whitchurch works for the City of Eureka.

I have reached out to Eureka Police Chief Brian Stephens, EPD Commander Leonard LaFrance and EPD PIO Laura Montagna.

I received verification it is him and have added the photos from Facebook.