John Chiv: Despite obstacles and no responses, I had details about EPD Officer Whitchurch's arrest months ago before today's complaint

Apr 15, 2026

Despite obstacles and no responses, I had details about EPD Officer Whitchurch's arrest months ago before today's complaint

I was the one who broke the news of Eureka Police Department James Whitchurch's arrest.

EPD Chief Brian Stephens was unprofessional and petty to issue a press release instead of responding to me first when I was the one to contact him. Let's see if Chief Stephens acts professionally and responds to my inquiry about Officer Whitchurch's employment status. I sent an email to him and both EPD PIOs.

I followed up and got exclusive details on Officer Whitchurch's arrest on my own. No other media has those. I also have other research I did on court records which are exclusive. I want readers to decide how they feel about Whitchurch being in law enforcement.

Whitchurch was arrested on 12/24/25 by CHP, the report was received, the DA had been reviewing charges. I checked regularly. When no charges were filed by 4/9/26 and the DA's office did not respond to my first email, I sent second email to DA on 4/9/26. No response.

Finally charges were filed today with an arraignment date of 7/28/26. One of the reasons for the delay is because misdemeanor DUI cases are often filed by former full time Humboldt Deputy DA Wes Keat who still works for the local DA filing these misdemeanor complaints and he is working remotely. Misdemeanor DUI charges can take months which anyone involved in checking charges on those arrests from local investigators, paralegals and attorneys know. This one only took 5 months, which is surprising.

There are two misdemeanor counts but each count has four special allegations. Blood alcohol level is listed as .10 in the complaint which I won't crop out as I usually do. Two 14 year old male minors and two female minors under 14 years old were in the car. The complaint lists birthdates instead of John Doe and John Doe 1, Jane Doe, Jane Doe 1 which would make it easier to follow.

2:08 p.m.Besides being busy, I waited to add court records later because I am tired of my information being used for free without credit; especially by the other local media.