Wednesday, through a department spokesperson, Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer refused to comment on allegations he's condoned a culture of violence within the force.

Dyer declined to discuss accusations made by a member of his own force, that he had a hand in manipulating the outcome of internal affairs investigations.

But, attorneys pushing a lawsuit against the chief and the department hope to show that Dyer's own misconduct set a tone for the department.

In a February 26th deposition obtained exclusively by KSEE 24 News, Dyer admitted he violated police procedure in the past.

The civil rights lawsuit claims Dyer's misconduct opened the door for other officers to behave outside of policy.

The accusations stem from a March 2005 incident involving current Fresno Police Sergeant Michael Manfredi and former officer Marcus Tafoya who are also named as defendants in the lawsuit.

During a welcome home party for Ralph Rendon, a Marine who had served in Iraq, 10 plaintiffs claim they were assaulted by Sgt. Manfredi and Officer Tafoya.

The other Fresno police officers on scene the night of the alleged misconduct have been questioned.

The deposition of at least one officer asserts reports with differing accounts of what occurred the night of the alleged assaults were written.

Yet still, it was stated in open court, Manfredi and Tafoya were cleared of any wrong doing after the first internal affairs investigation.

After hearing the testimony of all parties thus far, plaintiff’s attorney, Peter Kapetan questioned the legitimacy of internal affairs investigations.

Kapetan said, “We’ve had officers testify that internal affairs investigations were being manipulated by the department to have a desired outcome.”

Officers alleged in their depositions after reporting apparent violations of police procedure they suffered retaliation.

One officer said he was called a “rat” by Sgt. Manfredi who was his superior at the time.

When attorney’s asked why the officer did not contact Manfredi’s supervisors, the officer said he knew “nothing would change” because that type of behavior was “the status quo in the department.”

The officer then said blowing the whistle on a supervisor who “knows a lot of people” would be a “losing battle.”

Sergeant Manfredi’s alleges in his deposition that he had knowledge police personnel improperly influenced the outcome of internal affairs investigations to exonerate guilty officers.

Manfredi refused to give specific details during his deposition.

At a court hearing Tuesday, Manfredi was ordered to reveal names and specific details to support his allegations.

Peter Kapetan said what began as an investigation into a 4 year old excessive force claim, could end up revealing a much greater violation.

“Our lawsuit alleges the Chief actively knew about these things and actively, not necessarily participated, but encouraged this type of conduct by officers”, Kapetan said.

Click on the link to see Carolyn Bruck’s exclusive report.