Complaint filed alleging Fullerton police leaders committed battery in concert altercation with EMTs

Irvine police filed a complaint with prosecutors Wednesday alleging Fullerton Police Chief David Hendricks and Capt. Thomas Oliveras committed battery in an altercation with two emergency medical technicians at a Lady Antebellum concert last week.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will determine whether to file charges against the Fullerton police officials for the confrontation Friday night at the FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine.

Hendricks and Oliveras are on paid leave following allegations that they assaulted two EMTs who were attempting to treat Hendricks’ wife, Mea, according to a memo Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel sent Saturday to the Irvine City Council.

Hendricks and Oliveras could not be reached for comment.

Mea Hendricks had slipped while leaving a restroom and hit her head, a source close to the investigation said. While the medical workers responded, an unidentified woman informed Hendricks and Oliveras, who rushed to the scene.

The source gave this version of what happened next: Hendricks pushed his way past a female EMT who was treating his wife. Hendricks insisted she was fine and tried to help her to her feet, while the EMT continued to hold onto her. Mea Hendricks kept saying she wanted to go home.

Meanwhile, Oliveras and a male EMT squared off in a way that was described as “dancing.” Oliveras allegedly put his hand in the neck area of the emergency worker for about 30 seconds, the source said.

Irvine police responded to a “disturbance” call at 9:42 p.m. and asked the police chief and the captain to leave.

Sources said the female EMT wanted to press assault charges while the other medical worker did not, sources said. Irvine police said there were no injuries in the altercation.

Irvine police filed the complaint after reviewing audio recordings of the incident, according to a statement from the department.