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Protest against 'rewards for arrests' program to be held outside SDPD's southern division

The San Diego Police Department has launched an internal investigation into a program intended to reward officers for making drug arrests.

SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) — The San Diego Police Department has launched an internal investigation into a program intended to reward officers for making drug arrests.

The program was never implemented, according to the police chief. But an email was sent out detailing how it would work and that has raised questions with some people in the community.

A protest is planned for Monday outside of the police department's southern division.

News 8 spoke to the organizer Tasha Williamson earlier who says there are still questions about why the email was sent in the first place.

"Somebody did this thinking they could get away with this," said Williamson. "Anyone who is in a command or supervisory position - we need to take a second look at."

Williamson is a civil rights activist who says the goal of the protest is to send a message to the police department that a full, transparent investigation is necessary.

This protest stems from the email sent out March 9 to officers in the department's southern division detailing an incentive program aimed at motivating officers to make drug arrests.

The email was made public after an unnamed officer came forward and spoke to a media outlet.

San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit then held a news conference on Friday saying the program was never authorized, never implemented and was never intended to target a specific race or socio-economic class.

The chief promised to find out how and why the email was sent out.

"I believe the chief when he says the program was never implemented," said Williamson. "What I don’t understand, as lieutenants and captains, how do you not know the approval protocol?"

Williamson is also demanding that the officer who came forward to the media not be punished for what he did.

The protest is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday.

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