Rohnert Park Police officer charged with embezzlement

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Sonoma County officials said a Rohnert Park Police officer is facing charges related to his alleged embezzlement from his police union.

David Sittig-Wattson, 34, Rohnert Park turned himself in on Monday afternoon, according to a report from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office’s community engagement liaison, Misti Wood.

Wood said the Rohnert Park Public Safety Officers Association previously requested that the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office start a financial crimes investigation related to the association.

Property crimes detectives conducted a thorough investigation and submitted it to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office. After reviewing the investigation, the District Attorney’s Office filed charges and issued a warrant for Sittig-Wattson’s arrest, Wood said.

Sittig-Wattson, who is the association’s former treasurer, is being charged with embezzlement over a four-year period, according to Wood’s report.

On Monday, Wood said Sittig-Wattson was booked on one felony count of grand theft by embezzlement.

Wood said Sittig-Wattson was released on $5,000 bail to appear in court at a later date.