A state agency on police standards has recommended decertification for a Fresno police officer accused of making false calls about an ex-girlfriend.

Police responded to the apartment of the woman and her son, after Khammouane Kevin Thakham, a 32-year veteran of the department, allegedly called police and claimed a disturbance at the residence.

The Peace Officers Standards Accountability Advisory Board voted 5-1 on Feb. 5 at a public meeting in West Sacramento to recommend decertifying Thakham.

The board approved two counts of serious misconduct — dishonesty and acts that violate the law. However, Thakham was never charged criminally.

“The respondent’s misconduct was repeated, material, and egregious,” Robert Tripp, a Police Officer Standards and Training bureau chief and law enforcement consultant, said at the hearing.

Tripp said Thakham disrupted the lives of the victims and others.

Next Steps in Decertification Process

The recommendation will next go to the full Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. If approved, the case moves to an evidentiary hearing before an administrative law judge to determine discipline.

Thakham did not appear at the hearing, but did submit a letter of apology.

This is Thakham’s first serious misconduct allegation with POST. He does not have any disciplinary incidents on file with the Fresno Police Department. He previously received a reprimand for failing to activate his body-worn camera during a collision in which he was involved.

Thakham recently worked the security desk at Fresno City Hall.

Nicole Clavo, Regina Hatcher Crawford, Cephus Johnson, Joyce Dudley, Charles Lara voted in favor of recommending decertification. Margaret Pena voted no.

Thakham Remorseful

Thakham spoke to GV Wire, expressing remorse. He said he is traumatized, embarrassed and overwhelmed.

“I sacrifice so much. What I did was unacceptable. We all make mistakes,” Thakham said.

He is asking the POST commission for leniency and to accept a suspension. He plans to retire later this year.

“I wish I could take it back,” Thakham said.”I hope judgment is not passed upon me for one incident.”

He said he is on medical leave.

Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto did not respond for a comment by time of publication.

Thakham Accused of Making Calls Against Ex-Girlfriend

Thakham served several assignments in his career, including 19 years on SWAT. Tripp told the committee that the assignment history was “pertinent to the allegations at hand.”

POST investigators accused Thakham of making three calls to police nonemergency lines on Aug. 10 and 11, 2023. He claimed there was yelling and screaming happening at his ex-girlfriend’s apartment.

Thakham allegedly made the calls to dispatch while blocking his number and not providing his name.

Meeting records allege that Thakham “falsely reported an ongoing violent domestic disturbance at the apartment occupied by Victim 1 and her son.”

Units arrived and determined there was no disturbance.

The woman and her son reported their suspicions to police, leading to an internal affairs investigation. They told police that Thakham made several calls and text messages as well.

After police arrived the second time, the victims were reluctant to cooperate, Tripp said at the hearing. The son told the responding officers he thought they may be working with Thakham to harass them.

Evidence included body-worn camera video of the police response, recordings of calls to police, and interviews Thakham gave to internal affairs investigators.

The officers reported the suspicious circumstances to superiors, and internal affairs started an investigation.

Note: The Thakham hearing starts about the 1:08:00 mark.

Documents: Thakham Admits to Making Calls

The hearing included a report about internal affairs interviewing Thakham on Oct. 10, 2023. He admitted he placed the calls because his girlfriend broke up with him unexpectedly. She would not take his calls.

Thakham said he knew that police would engage in an emergency response after his calls.

The committee’s report said Thakham admitted he made the false reports “because he believed the disruption caused by the police response would prompt Victim 1 to reach out to him for advice and perhaps resume their relationship.”

He accepted responsibility and “was not thinking rationally when he placed the call,” Tripp said.

Internal affairs sustained five violations — including violating any misdemeanor statute, and unbecoming conduct of an officer. IA recommended dismissal.

After a pre-disciplinary hearing known as a Skelly hearing, Thakham instead received a 160-hour suspension, a demotion from corporal, and a last-chance agreement to remain with the department.