Torrance police chief Jeremiah Hart addresses a press conference in Torrance, California on Aug. 20, 2021. (Screenshot/JTA-CBS2) News California Two former L.A.-area police officers charged with vandalism for swastika spray-painted inside impounded car Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By Ron Kampeas, JTA | August 23, 2021 The Los Angeles County District Attorney charged two former police officers with vandalism for allegedly spray-painting a swastika on the back seat of an impounded car. The investigation into the vandalism also uncovered messages exchanged between the two former officers in Torrance, a city in Los Angeles County, and at least another 13 officers that included racist, homophobic and antisemitic statements, CBS2, the local CBS affiliate, reported last week. The 13 other officers were placed on leave. Torrance officers responding to a report of mail theft on Jan. 27, 2020, impounded a car they believed to be implicated in the alleged crime. When the owner retrieved the car he found a happy face spray-painted on the front seat and a swastika spray-painted on the back seat. The DA is still considering whether the charges rise to the level of a hate crime. Ron Kampeas Ron Kampeas is the D.C. bureau chief at the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. Religion Your Covid-19 High Holiday questions, answered Israel Israel will now let gay men donate blood Books Her debut novel is about a Jewish girl in Manitoba (just like she was) Politics A lawyer, a poultry prince and a billboard queen walk into a recall election Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up