SAN FERNANDO, Calif. -- Brought in to clean up the San Fernando Police Department after a sex scandal and ticketing debacle took down his two predecessors, interim Police Chief Gil Carrillo has now been shown the door by the City Council after just four months.
Carrillo, a former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s homicide detective who helped capture "Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez, was informed Monday that his six- month contract as interim chief was being terminated early. The decision was made by a council majority behind closed doors without explanation. Carrillo was appointed to the position on March 16.
Lt. Robert Parks has assumed the position of acting chief, a job he has held before.
Earlier this year, acting Chief Lt. Jeff Eley was placed on leave after an investigation was initiated into whether he fixed a traffic ticket for a congressional aide. Eley took the reins after Chief Tony Ruelas retired in the wake of a lawsuit from a police cadet alleging she 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 Maribel De La Torre.
Brenda Esqueda, who has since taken the mayorship, also became enveloped in the scandal when it was alleged she was having a relationship with a police sergeant.
All three council members are facing recall. Opponents were informed earlier this 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.
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)2012 Los Angeles Times
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