San Diego, CA, September 10, 2026 — The federal credential that allowed San Pasqual Tribal Police Chief Christopher Palomares to enforce state and federal laws has reportedly been suspended. The information was revealed by NBC 7 Investigates, citing details obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

This suspension follows an investigation into Palomares’ conduct during a traffic stop that occurred in September 2025. According to reports, during this incident, he allegedly placed his firearm against the neck of a 15-year-old individual who was handcuffed at the time. The summary also states that death threats were made during the encounter.

The exact federal agency that issued and subsequently suspended the credential was not specified in the information provided. Similarly, the specific findings of the investigation beyond the resulting suspension have not been detailed.

As a consequence of the credential suspension, it is understood that Palomares will likely be restricted to enforcing only tribal laws and only against tribal members. Further details regarding the timeline of the suspension or any disciplinary actions beyond this immediate impact were not available.

Story summarized from the original created by Alexis Rivas, Mike Dorfman and Meredith Royster on www.nbcsandiego.com, see more information here.

Media gallery

About The Author
SignalNewsAI