July 09--After a sex scandal and ticketing debacle took down two San Fernando police chiefs, the city brought in veteran homicide lieutenant Gil Carrillo to clean up the mess. But last week, he was abruptly shown the door after less than four months.
It is the latest episode in the municipal soap opera that has made San Fernando the talk of local government.
Carrillo, a 38-year Los Angeles County Sheriff's veteran who helped capture "Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez, was informed Monday that his six-month contract as interim chief was being terminated early.
"The City Council in closed session voted to exercise their right to terminate his contract with three days' notice," said City Administrator Al Hernandez. "He was not the right fit."
Hernandez said he is not aware of any complaints involving the departing chief, and that the council just wanted a change of direction. Three council members approved the move with Councilwoman Maribel De La Torre abstaining and Councilman Mario Hernandez absent.
Carrillo said his firing "was a shock" and that he wasn't given a reason for the council's action. As chief, Carrillo said, he was moral, ethical and faithful to his officers.
Lt. Robert Parks has assumed the position of acting chief. The council hopes to appoint a permanent replacement within four months, Hernandez said.
Carrillo was appointed to the position March 16 amid a furor over actions by his predecessor, Jeff Eley, who had been placed on leave amid allegations that he had fixed a traffic ticket for a congressional aide. The ticket incident became a spectacle after a video surfaced on YouTube showing a patrol officer handing a citation to the aide.
Eley had taken the reins after Chief Tony Ruelas retired in the wake of a lawsuit filed by a police cadet that alleged she had had an affair with him. The community of 23,000 has been embroiled in scandals since last year when then-Mayor Mario Hernandez announced at a City Council meeting that he was having an affair with a colleague, Councilwoman De La Torre.
Brenda Esqueda, who is now mayor, also became enveloped in scandal after she was publicly accused of having a relationship with a police sergeant.
All three council members are now facing recall. Opponents were informed last week by the city clerk that they had enough petition signatures to force a recall of the trio. An election is likely to occur in October or November.
Copyright 2012 - Los Angeles Times
