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Calexico delays hiring police chief


Tuesday, November 20, 2007 10:44 PM PST

CALEXICO — A new police chief remains unknown as the City Council failed to reach a majority vote Tuesday night on the candidate recommended by the city manager.

The name of the candidate was not disclosed, citing legal grounds.

In a one-hour closed session, the council instead voted 3-2 to hire a recruiting firm to select a new candidate, City Manager Ralph Velez said shortly after a scheduled council meeting where the announcement was made.

“They couldn’t get three votes. So the next best thing to do is reopen the position,” Velez said.

Many members of the audience, including uniformed police officers walked out of the council chambers immediately after and assembled outside City Hall.

“I really think all five of them don’t have any guts to make a decision. It’s a joke now around the Valley,” said Fernando “Nene” Torres, a former Calexico mayor.

Councilman David Ouzan said he could not comment on the decision and stressed the need to “be very cautious.”

“It was not a shift. He (the city manager) is using different options to recommend,” Ouzan said after the announcement in a heated discussion with Torres.

“You and the council just ruined the morale of a good police department,” Torres told Ouzan.

Velez said it may take up to three months for a candidate to be considered by the council.

>> Staff Writer Victor Morales can be reached at 337-3452 or vmorales@ivpressonline.com


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Comments:

Rumors wrote on Nov 24, 2007 7:00 PM:

" oh yeah, you're right Rico, I forgot about the Super Butch Officers harassing the women inmates just as bad when it comes to verbal violence. However, the sodomy & rape cases of women need to be monitored. WHERE ARE THE VIDEO CAMERAS TO PROTECT INMATES & DETER CORRUPTION? This jail is the worst I've heard of ever. Every Employee Policy and prisoner safety problem is violated. That just says something about the quality of personnel and the Sheriff Running the joint! yawn "

jjab wrote on Nov 21, 2007 7:10 PM:

" It is unfortunate that the Calx. City Counsil has taken it upon themselves to make the citizens of Calexico loose confidence in their city govenment. Why do City Counsil members around the Valley like to "stall" public safety. They are the last ones to get raises but are the most needed. But don't let a City Counsil person be a victim of a crime or they want the whole department at their door step. I wonder how many raises they have gotten over the last few years!!!!!!!!!!! "

ay chiguagua wrote on Nov 21, 2007 12:10 PM:

" Seems to me there is some kind of problem in Calexico's city government when it comes to hiring a police chief and city manager. Other cities such as El Centro, Holtville and Brawley hired their chiefs with no "ethics" violations. And now they want to spend $30-$35K for a hiring agency? Knowing the Council can't get together and make a decision, Calexico should have done that in the beginning. I recall reading an article where Calexico has gone through its share of city manager as well. Just what is the problem here? Get it done, Calexico! Your citizens deserve a chief to ensure public safety! "

creek123 wrote on Nov 21, 2007 10:21 AM:

" I'm concerned about public safety issues. I guess the majority of the council did not follow the city nanagers recommendations for police chief. It's either a lackof confidence trusting the city manager "

Joel Osuna 32 wrote on Nov 21, 2007 8:24 AM:

" Apparently Pacheco, Durazo and Ouzan voted to go outside and spend $30-$35K to hire a company to look for someone. We know Renison was in Neujar's camp. Fuentes seems to at least have the guts to vote the way he sees it even if its alone. How come it wasnt publiced that Fuentes stated publicly to the City Manager to hold his paycheck until the Firefighters and Police officers get their "promised" raise. There's a gutsy decision.... "


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