Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/santa-ana-police-officers-association/)
Former Santa Ana Police Chief Carlos Rojas has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming he was forced to resign after whistleblowing and as part of a concerted effort by the mayor and police union president to push him out.
Several Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine and other city council members and candidates reported robust fundraising for the first six months of 2017, according to the latest campaign finance disclosures.
In a legal claim he filed against the city, Carlos Rojas said he “was forced to involuntarily resign his civil service position as a result of potential illegal activity and/or noncompliance [with rules and/or regulations] among city officials.”
The new contract raises the base salary for officers and sergeants by 5.6 percent to 10.6 percent, depending on seniority and work schedule. Supporters say it’s needed to keep compensation competitive, while opponents say Santa Ana can’t afford the increase.
Santa Ana’s acting police chief was suddenly switched Tuesday for the second time in as many months. Officials said the change was completely unrelated to the possible hiring of a former CHP officer who made national headlines when video showed him repeatedly punching a woman in the face who was on the ground along the 10 freeway in Los Angeles.
Carlos Rojas is resigning and taking a job in the San Francisco Bay Area, amid public praise and criticism of his leadership from a divided City Council.
Following the ouster of City Manager David Cavazos, expect changes in how the police department is managed, budget dollars are allocated, and the kind of leader the city will have atop its bureaucracy.
After months of behind-the-scenes maneuvering and brazen political moves, Mayor Miguel Pulido and his newly formed city council faction succeeded Tuesday in completing the removal of City Manager David Cavazos.
It took a surprise meeting during a holiday week with nearly half of the City Council absent, but Mayor Miguel Pulido was able to engineer — at least temporarily – the ouster of City Manager David Cavazos. Residents and community activists cried foul.
The effort is being led by Councilman Sal Tinajero, who says a switch from the current at-large system would lessen the influence of deep-pocketed interests like the city’s police union in Santa Ana politics.