A New Acting Chief

The old one lasted  four months and the one before that hightailed it for the tall grass when the going got tough. Boy did he get going.

Anyway, the new man is 28 year FPD veteran Captain Dan Hughes, who was the boss of all those rogue cops we’ve been telling you about lately, so that’s a real bad sign right there. Was he part of the report write-and-rewrite perpetrated by the killers of Kelly Thomas? Such things are not for the public to know, and you can bet your last nickel City Manager Joe Felz hasn’t got the huevos to find out. Hughes also got kudos from folks for tearing up the “excessive horning” tickets of which he was seen orchestrating the issuance. ¡No bueno, numero dos!

Anyway II, the OC Weekly’s Brandon Ferguson tells about it here. Follow his link to the vapid Fullerton Chamber of Commerce website where its writer manages to scribble twelve paragraphs on Fullerton’s police chief carousel without a single word or even oblique reference to murders, perjury, assaults, sexual battery, theft, fraud, etc., etc. Too bad the Fringies® are over, or else we’d wave a real winner there in the stoogery category.

96 Replies to “A New Acting Chief”

    1. He did apologize. After all his partner was killed in an ambush trying to sell 2 $million in fake coke to a group of thugs who thought they were ambushing some cholo. Turns out Fullerton cops were doing a drug sting. Hello.

    2. Vernon, Hughes’ involvement in the Thomas killing is speculative. However the choices don’t look good, as with the other recent cases of cop criminality in Fullerton. If he didn’t know, he should have. And if he did know, well…

      I wonder how well he has been indoctrinated into the McKinley School of Cop Thought. My suspicion is very. Look out for window-dressing outreach committees.

      Right now there are about a dozen cops that need to be canned immediately – and no more horse shit. Hughes may be one of them.

      1. I didn’t say he was involved in the Kelly Thomas case, only the backlash. Nor was I attempting to throw him under the bus. I was referring to his appearances at the protests and acting like a decent guy based on what others have said.

        My question is why? Has he made himself available because he feels remorseful over the 1992 incident? Does he relate to public sentiment much better than others in his department?

        Whatever it is, you have to admit there are numerous parallels between his actions in 1992 and the feelings of protesters over Kelly Thomas’ death.

        1. Ol’ capt hughes was the one who ordered the honkers ticketed(dumb idea)…patrol capt at the time of ALL the incidents ..do the math

  1. Oh boy!… Just when everyone was starting to think it may be getting safe to go back into the water again……..

    Will the citizens advisory committee have any teeth? or just more friends and relatives of McKinley?

  2. it’s time time to pop the champagne. come 2012 cicinelli and ramos will be back on the street of fullerton , protecting us from thugs like them.

  3. Doubt it airhead, but I wouldn’t bet you considering how corrupt our entire legal system is; from the DA to AnyU.S. Judge.

  4. I am very inclined to disbelieve that Hughes “orchestrated” the honking tickets. I have spoken to Hughes enough to feel that there is some significant likelihood that he does not share his predecessors perspectives on transparency and discipline. Under Sellers and McKinley, Hughes did not have the reigns with major policy decisions. I have not drawn final conclusions either way. However, in light of the fact that there was no way that a brand new, permanent Chief was going to be hired with the pending outside review, I am going to give Hughes the benefit of the doubt for the next few months and pay close attention. His openness, availability and willingness to discuss anything has certainly earned him that with me personally. Hughes can’t single-handedly change POBAR (the police officers bill of rights), but he can be up front with the community about what needs to change in a way we have not seen with previous Chiefs. I am hopeful that he will do that.

    As with education, the biggest problems with policing come as a result of State and Federal law. However, also like education, we need to be loudly up-front about all of that at the local level or change will never come.

    1. Well, Chris, I am not leaning toward being so charitable. This is a really small police department, and if Hughes was the captain in charge of the street cops he’s got to have know about all this crap – from Rincon to Ramos.

      Are we really to give him a pass just because he seems like a nice guy and heck, when you stop to think about it he couldn’t have really changed anything all by himself anyway?

      I don’t know. They tried that at Nuremberg.

      1. i WANT TO KNOW JUST HOW “TIED” Hughes’ hands have been tied.

        He has been forthcoming on good info that makes it look like he has been trying to push the knuckleheads out. We’ll know when the feds are done if Ol’ Danny boy should get the boot, a pair of shiny new cuffs, and a permanent room at the Graybar Hotel.

      2. I’m not going to debate what Hughes knew or didn’t know. You’re not going to find a Chief who is a civil rights political activist unless you hire a Chief who has not come up the police ranks. Certainly one option. If somebody knows of a qualified Chief who came from a department that had no excessive force issues upon close examination, put him to the front of the list. It is my opinion that most forces have some degree of these issues because every force has a bottom and POBAR protects them. I am saying that many conversations have led me to believe that Hughes understands and agrees with many of these issues. Obviously he has not made a career of standing up and saying so. Look, maybe there is a guy…or girl somewhere who has a proven track record of turning around departments with these issues. They have not made a decision about a permanent chief and Hamilton is going to retire. I’m going to support this decision until I see a reason not to because the man has told me face to face what he thinks and I’m impressed. If anybody else has asked him his views of these issues to his face and rejected his answers, let me know. At some point decisions do have to be made.

    2. Really, Chris? Really??!!

      Hughes just happened to be standing right next to the dude with the radio who was fingering the excessive horners, and he didn’t stop it. Since he was the boss I’d say that was taking ownership.

      1. Even if Hughes “orchestrated” the tickets, how does anybody know the order didn’t come from higher up?

        By California Vehicle Code standards (CVC 27001) the horn is only supposed to be used “when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation” anyway.

      2. It’s a good point. I’ve never asked him about it. I know how he reacted when I told him about a few folks standing nearby with tickets. I also know he didn’t think twice about taking them away.

        1. Bring your camera and ask him directly. You two seem to be on extremely good terms I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to answer your question …provided you actually make an attempt to ask him.

    3. Ur wrong, hughes ordered the honkers ticketed and paid union thugs time and a half…and recently handed all “kelly thomas related issues” over to the services captain because he needed a break from the stress.. He will tell u what u want to hear…Hamilton at least told the truth

      1. Hughs did order the issue tickets to “excessive honkers”. He admitted that to me on the very day it was happening. He did also write off the tickets that were issued. I have said from the beginning, I’m not to trusting of him. I’m not sure he is the right man for the job of “Acting Chief”.. Having grown up in Fullerton and being with the department since 1983 hopefully he won’t BS the residents of Fullerton and do what is right for our city. Only time will tell.. Let’s not forget the city WILL NOT move forward or heal until the FPD 6 are ALL held accountable for the night of July 5’th, 201l. The 3 clowns are recalled and Seller’s gets off the city’s tit..

    4. Great post, Chris! Key Points Of Agreement For Me:

      1) Chris: “I have spoken to Hughes enough to feel that there is some significant likelihood that he does not share his predecessors perspectives on transparency”…

      2) Chris: “Hughes did not have the reigns with major policy decisions.”

      Agreed. The Chief (Sellers) had those reigns.

      3) Chris: “His openness, availability and willingness to discuss anything has certainly earned him that with me personally.”

      Agreed. I’ve had numerous discussions with Hughes. Hughes has made himself available in so many ways, including community meetings, at city council mtgs, at the protests, etc

      4) Chris: “Hughes can’t single-handedly change POBAR (the police officers bill of rights)” …

      and, “As with education, the biggest problems with policing come as a result of State and Federal law.”

      KEY POINTS-As frustrating as it it for both concerned residents/taxpayers and the police (who would sometimes love to let the public see the pieces of info that they have) – Police departments are severely limited in the information that they can give to the public re: personnel and ongoing investigations.

      Having said that, there was no excuse for lack of timely info in the Thomas case. Although they could not give out most info, they could have done much to assure the public that they would keep us updated on everything that they COULD say-basic info, procedures, etc

      LINKS TO LAWS:
      The Police Officers Bill of Rights (POBR) http://www.porac.org/POBOR.html

      CA Penal Code Section 832.7 http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/832.7.html

  5. Wrong, the entire judicial system, starting with local cops, all the way up to the U S D O J is corrupt. That includes all state entities fulfilling state positions mirroring the federal ones. Remember, there is job security in crime and criminals.

  6. Tuco says…
    Did you really think they were going to hire a new outside acting police chief? Someone totally new? Someone who can tell the two cops on the city council that their way of policing went out with the dinosaurs? I didn’t think anyone on this blog are that naive. So…. of the rest of the choices left, who would be better? They could have hired Sgt. Goodlie and the police union would completely run the FPD!
    Fullerton residents have a city council. Was the vote 3-2 to hire Captain Hughes?

  7. Does anyone know how deep the FBI’s investigation will undergo?
    -I wonder particularly if there are Federal legal ramifications for Pat McKinley for violating hiring policies, by doing his former cronie a favor and hiring Cicinelli, who was clearly unqualified.
    -What about FPDs BS policy to allow all cops to review tape and even get direction from higher ranks on how to fudge their police reports?
    -How about the entire Veth Mam case which consists of perjury, wrongful arrest and even a lengthy encarceration?
    -How about lying to the media, giving the public the furthest from the truth.

    Let me know what I’ve missed.

  8. Does Dan Hughes have any desire to become the permanent chief when Sellers disappears into medical retirement? After all Hughes has 28 years of service.

    I hope Joe Felz and the City Council takes this into consideration when selecting a permanent chief. A changing of the guard every couple years can’t help matters any.

  9. When it comes to cops, the higher the rank, the better the actor.
    Captain Hughes does seem to possess some naturally given people skills and has certainly been extremely sociable and most visible since the Kelly Thomas murder. It seems to me he is the man. However, the higher the rank, the more prospective bullshit.

    1. WG- Hughes is a PR guy-a mole for FPD, playing both sides of the fence,

      I dont have a good feeling about this one. never did.

      It seems to me, what with everyone crying about most of the nazi’s being “good people”, shouldnt there be someone out of those pickens who could be chief Wiggins? why Hughes? whats up with that?

  10. Fullerton names new acting police chief for troubled department

    Kelly Thomas’ father, Ron, said in a statement that he opposes the move to appoint Hughes to the acting chief position because he oversaw the patrol division at the time of the incident that led to his son’s death.

    “What I see for Fullerton’s future is a very good possibility of ‘business-as-usual’ with the same old fox guarding the hen house,” Thomas wrote.

    He added, however, that “after my son’s death when the protest began, Dan was indeed very helpful to myself and Kelly’s Army,” referring to the protesters who flocked to Kelly’s cause.

    Sellers, meanwhile, remains on leave. He may extend his medical leave as long as one year, during which time he continues to draw his full salary, which totals $228,576 with benefits.

    City spokeswoman Sylvia Palmer said Hughes will remain in the acting chief position until Sellers notifies the city that he is coming back to work or ending his employment.

    http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/12/new-acting-fullerton-police-chief.html

  11. Fullerton cops are corrupted to the core and enteprise criminals. Nobody steps up and speak the truth but to cover up for each other. Disgrace to Fullerton and Orange County.

  12. Regardless of who is the police chief, he or she should should be scrutinized as much as all who sit on our council. Question everything that seems a mere hair out of place. Be supportive when possible but do not tolerate even a smidgen of bs. Posting here is fine and a way to inform others but don’t stop there, be proactive or take what you get…same as with our politicians.

  13. I spoke to Kevin today and I Really hope this works out for us cuz this city need some HELP!!!
    I also heard form Dan, I know in my case in 2009 nothing happened. Once I spoke to Dan the officer who assaulted me was charged (two years later) and the policies have changed!
    I know I may piss some of you off but ahh I could care less! All I want is to feel safe in my city and I do believe Dan will do anything and everything to make it happen!

    1. I know I may piss some of you off but ahh I could care less!

      You know what? fuck ’em. You got assaulted not them. Too many victims keep quiet so these guys continue to attack more people. I applaud you for being loud and direct about what happened to you.

  14. No one is sadder to see Acting Chief Hamilton give up the reigns of power than I.

    But let us give Dan Hughes 3 months, 6 months, even a year before the naysayers start attacking him.

    I personally would like to think positively about Captain Hughes. I for one will give him my support as the new Acting Police Chief and will pray that he does a good job for the city and continues to implement the much needed changes already started by Retiring Acting Chief Hamilton.

    I have been very critical of the mess left behind by former chief Pat McKinley. The damage he has caused this city is immeasurable!

    But I look forward to getting to know the new Acting Chief and assisting him with the difficult task of continuing to rebuild both the Fullerton Police Dept. and the trust of its citizens.

  15. Something that everybody seems to be forgetting here is the fact that nobody qualified from the outside was going to take an interim job with a report pending that could radically change the job description. Hamilton is retiring. They needed to switch interim chiefs. Unless I’m misunderstanding the situation, I’m not sure what their alternatives were. I’m going to stand by the guy until he gives me reason not to. I’m willing to bet on my multiple conversations and observations that he is a man of character. I would encourage people to ask him directly about his views. He’s about as approachable as they come. Now in the interest of mitigating the degree to which the rank and file are going to hold him in contempt for my support, I’m going to try to bite my tongue on the issue and see how it goes.

    1. I’m not sure what their alternatives were

      Disband the department which would get that fat bastard chief off the payrolls and the other corrupt dirtbags like Wolfe and Hampton still on leave. The department is BROKEN from the top down.

      The guys responsible for what happened are still there like his holyness Saint Hughes and have been there for DECADES. Nothing, Nada, Not a thing is going to change until the the department is cleaned from top to bottom and unfortunately you can’t fire these bastards (unless you disband the department and start from scratch).

      I’m going to stand by the guy until he gives me reason not to.

      Chris I know you mean well but you’ve really got to stop dancing with the devil. Police officers by nature are very deceiving, they will do and say anything to get a conviction or in this case, save his ass.

      Unfortunately friendship and insider info is more important than principal to many people in this day and age.

      I hate to say this because you’ve done so much for the Thomas family and against police brutality and I have great respect for you but I’ve personally seen how he has you like a giddy little boy around him while he stands tall (no pun intended) bearing that award winning smile and occasionally gives you a pat on the back to get your juices going.

      1. I appreciate the kind tone, but I just flat out disagree with your premise that police officers are deceiving by nature. As with all groups of people, there are good cops and bad cops. This fight for me is not about attacking cops. It’s about attacking law and policy which prevents us from disciplining, removing and even prosecuting cops that behave badly. It’s also about removing police leadership and elected officials who are either actively or passively complicit in the same.

        I will also say that while I feel very badly for the Thomas family, I do not do what I do for the Thomas family. I do it for all of us, and mostly for all of our children who are facing a growing government, less opportunity and deteriorating freedoms.

  16. You certainly gave it to Mr. McKinley last night at the council meeting Mr. Levinson. The best part was while on your way back to your seat, you turned at McKinley, who was still glaring at you after your speech, and said “Well, I’m waiting,” refering to the apology and he said, “you’ll keep waiting”, just like the arrogant prick that he is.
    Nice job Barry.

  17. I believe that Dan Hughes is well-qualified and well-suited for the position of acting police chief.

    NORDELL POLICE INCIDENT – I’ve been following the FPD closely since the Oct 2010 mistaken narcotics raid on our home (cops were supposed to be at the house next door.) Our incident was handled poorly at first, but I was very pleased with the eventual resolution, the most important component of which was policy change that I was seeking.

    I learned a great deal about the FPD and Dan Hughes by working through my own incident and through my heightened awareness of other issues.

    MY OBSERVATIONS OF DAN HUGHES – In addition to my own numerous interactions with Hughes, I’ve also watched Hughes interact with people (often angry) at the protests, city council meetings, and in other venues.

    I have been impressed with him. I’ve found him to be competent, intelligent, open, and knowledgeable. He’s been incredibly helpful to me as I have asked questions about policies, procedures, and all kinds of things related to the FPD.

    He has impressive people skills; he is a good listener; he treats people with respect. He has shown great wisdom and restraint in dealing with the protests and the city council meetings; he does not needlessly provoke and is not heavy-handed.

    My many interactions and observations lead me to believe that he is a man of integrity. He cares about leadership, responsibility, and accountability. He grew up in Fullerton; has family here; he cares about the community.

    I love Barry Levinson’s comment (#45): “I look forward to getting to know the new Acting Chief and assisting him with the difficult task of continuing to rebuild both the Fullerton Police Dept. and the trust of its citizens.” DITTO.

    1. That all sounds good, in fact the positive comments all sound good, he very well may be a great guy and someone worth knowing, but, he like all the rest has cowered behind the thin blue line, the wall of silence, the Omerta of the police world. Keeping silent about what he knew of all the crimes perpetrated, those we know about and those we don’t, by HIS cops. So, like the less positive commenters say, same old same old business as usual.

    2. He does have a rare quality as a police officer.

      He prefers talking and engaging in dialog over provocation and escalation. He may have flaws but he is 100% better than Fat Andy and Jabba the Chief …for now but make no mistake, he’s being nice because we’ve been loud.

      Don’t let up. If you see or hear them doing wrong. Call them out on it regardless of who is at the wheel even if its Chief Thomas.

  18. I feel, not that it matters, I have to beleive once we get rid of McPension, things will improve on the FPD? Just get rid of the old blood. Then the little boys town will be gone. Like sheep over a cliff.

      1. “Acting Police Chief Kevin Hamilton presented Palmer-Mudrick with gifts from his department, adding: “Sylvia loves this town with all of her heart. She’s (recently) seen a side of Fullerton she’s never seen before … a town under attack.”

        Does Hamilton really think the town is under attack?

    1. Well, there you have the incestuous relationship between local media and City hall propaganda.

      Notice the comment by Hamilton.

      And Dick Ackerman? What the hell was he doing there, other than trying to peddle his oily hide one more time.

  19. Three questions to ask acting Chief Hughes:

    1) Do you have any desire to change the culture of the department? If so, how?

    2) For your entire career, you were protected by POBAR. As Chief, how do you enforce the laws on the books as they apply to FPD officers?

    3) Do you or do you not answer to the citizens of Fullerton?

    Just my .02 worth.

  20. Sometimes I state things and then they happen. I have no way of knowing why. Perhaps it is coincidence. Perhaps I have the experience to know how things will work out. Perhaps people in authority read what I state, know who I am, and agree. Perhaps things work with more complexity than I can imagine.

    I don’t know.

    But last week I stated that Kevin Hamilton had been acting chief long enough to own Andrew Goodrich’s continued role as spokesman for the Fullerton Police Department. This week he is being replaced.

    I don’t know why.

    But let me state this. Take no mind over who is the acting chief of the Fullerton Police Department. Focus on who is the spokesman who brings the department forward to the public. It could continue to be Andrew Goodrich. It could be acting chief Hughes himself. It could be a city councilman or the city council as a whole. It could be city spokesman Silvia Palmer.

    I don’t know.

    But this will be the barometer of future weather in the City of Fullerton.

  21. I have to wonder, do you think it bothers the FPD, that the residents don’t trust or believe them. Kind of like, when you get into an airplane, and trust the pilot that he can fly the plane.
    Or will the pilot spin the plane out of control, just because he’s pissed at one of the passengers?
    Any Peace Officiers out there that want to answer this?

    1. He is a man of integrity. I have known and worked with him for 15 years.He is well respected within the ranks as he has payed his dues and treats people fairly. I do not work for fpd and he has my complete respect.

      1. Being a man of integrity is a good thing, but remember a leader is only as good as his team. And lets face it, his team has some problems. He can not fix this on his own. Reguardless how much integrity he has. The teams moral must be repaired. That is what management is all about.

  22. “Were LAPD, the most hated COPS in all the free world, My momma even ashamed of me, she tell everybody Im a drug dealer… this a stepping stone…”
    -Deputy Inspector Carter LAPD (Chris Tucker) ,
    on loan to the FBI, “Rush Hour” movie 1998

      1. I quoted it because of the deep and stark contrasts. They should understand what a cover up entails. Especially, in this day and age. Mental Confusion has time and place in its Wikipedia defintion.

  23. Something about the guy that cant be trusted. Should keep him at a arms distance (Grew up with a cop and he was the one who told me that. Not all are bad but majority should not have that job at all) had a suspicion they were grooming him from the onset of the protests. Why was he the only one out there all the time? Now finding out he was the commander the night they murder Mr. Thomas, all bets off. What ever happen to, it starts at the top? Not one person in the so called “leadership” roll is even being held responsible nor accountable except for the one who ran with his tail between his legs. 
    Meet the new boss same as the old boss!
    Bottom line is nothing is going to change in that rat hole (FPD) until an outside appointment is made to be chief. Nothing! Sit back and “lets give the guy a chance” attitude will only lead to the same shit. 
    Pretty much, murder under your watch should probably disqualify you as a candidate. What a lazy city manager and city council we have on our hands and the future doesnt look bright. It’s just amazing that this happens right in front of our eyes, fucking amazing!

    1. As people that would know RICO and criminal enterprise, laws, you would never let someone that didnt have skin in the game in there.

  24. I’m sitting shaking my head. So many comments to comment on yet not knowing where to start or what to limit mine to.

    I think I’ll stick to the positive…I can’t agree more with Chris Thompson and Barry Levinson. I’ve spoken with Capt Hughes numerous times. He’s always easy to speak with and genuine. He’s worked with us and assisted us several times. I will be supportive until shown a valid reason not to be.

    I’m not for disbanding the FPD at this time. The OC Sheriffs have their own problems. We have some say over our law enforcement. Well, we’re supposed to if not for an effed up majority on the council. We will not have any should it go to the county.

    Some don’t like Hughes and some didn’t like Hamilton. To those, I ask: WHO would YOU rather see take over as acting police chief instead of Hughes? If you don’t have an answer, please consider that someone will be in that position and you may never never like them regardless of who it is.

    btw I was there taking signatures for the Recall when the tickets were given for horn honking. I was busy but I often saw Hughes around us at street level. I saw the one on the radio but I never saw Capt Hughes with him. I was busy so it’s possible he was up there at one point or another. I did hear him tell Erin the tickets were only warnings. When actual citations were brought to his attention, I also saw him agree to void them out without checking with anyone, a decision made by him and carried out on the spot.

    1. Excellent post, SherBear!

      You ask a great question and make an excellent observation- “WHO would YOU rather see take over as acting police chief instead of Hughes? If you don’t have an answer, please consider that someone will be in that position and you may never never like them regardless of who it is.”

      Just like there is rarely a perfect candidate for a political race, there is no perfect person-one that will satisfy everyone’s concerns- for the chief’s spot.

      Having said that, I think that Dan Hughes is an excellent choice. (See #51 above for my rationale.)

      1. Thank you, Robyn and exactly – there will always be flaws to be found in people in such roles.

        I did read your post and two of the most important qualities you mentioned are Capt Hughes’ people skills and that he treats others with respect. I agree with your other observations and I’ll add, he’s got a good sense of humor.

        Two sayings fit here: “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst” and “If you look for something negative, you’re almost always guaranteed to find it”. So to everyone, lighten up a little, support Capt Hughes but don’t roll over should something be wrong. And look for a little good in the man, you might find it.

    2. I’m not for disbanding the FPD at this time.

      So, I guess you’re for paying millions in settlements and thousands a month to have 6-7 officers and the chief sit at home on paid leave.

      We have some say over our law enforcement.

      No, you don’t. For the most part FPD does what it pleases and there is not a dam thing you can do about it and as you can see neither Silva or Whitaker are willing to boot that fat slob police chief making $19,000 a month to sit on his fat old ass at home all day.

      We will not have any (say) should it go to the county.

      Actually instead of the City Council you would go to the OC Board of Supervisors although since the city would only be contracting the county’s services they may still have some oversight.

      I saw the one on the radio but I never saw Capt Hughes with him.

      I certainly saw him there that day but don’t take my word, just watch the first 10 seconds of this video you’ll see him as clear as day there.

      The issue is who is good or bad at the department. The issue is the culture within the department. Hamilton, McKinley, Hughes, DiCaprio and are not new, they have been with the department for decades and they are all responsible for creating the culture of corruption and thuggery.

      In the real word “honest” guys like Hughes pretends to be never make it up the chain of command. They either remain in patrol or they’re forced out of the department but for whatever reason Saint Hughes made it all the way to chief, yeah… sure.

      When all is said and done this department will end up costing the city an untold amount of money in mainly in settlements, leave pay and training.

      I’ll be blunt. As a tax payer and citizen of this city I don’t give a crap about how nice Hughes is or what Hamilton did to save “the children”, these bastards are costing us a hell of a lot money and they all need to go like Compton and Maywood PD.

      Disband!

  25. Anonymous :

    I’m not for disbanding the FPD at this time.

    So, I guess you’re for paying millions in settlements and thousands a month to have 6-7 officers and the chief sit at home on paid leave.

    I’m not even going to respond to this other than to say, come out to my Recall table when I address this and listen to what I tell people when I get them to sign.

    We have some say over our law enforcement.

    No, you don’t. For the most part FPD does what it pleases and there is not a dam thing you can do about it and as you can see neither Silva or Whitaker are willing to boot that fat slob police chief making $19,000 a month to sit on his fat old ass at home all day.

    Those two did address Sellers, weeks before the chit hit the fan. Had the three imbeciles done the same thing, Sellers would be gone. He’s pretty much untouchable now or the city risks a disability harassment lawsuit. This sucks but there’s nothing to be done with him at this point.

    We will not have any (say) should it go to the county.

    Actually instead of the City Council you would go to the OC Board of Supervisors although since the city would only be contracting the county’s services they may still have some oversight.

    Stick with that thought, ask around OC and get back to me how that’s working out for everyone at the end of the day.

    I saw the one on the radio but I never saw Capt Hughes with him.

    I certainly saw him there that day but don’t take my word, just watch the first 10 seconds of this video you’ll see him as clear as day there.

    You either overlooked or left out the part where I said “I was busy so it’s possible he was up there at one point or another”.

    The issue is who is good or bad at the department. The issue is the culture within the department. Hamilton, McKinley, Hughes, DiCaprio and are not new, they have been with the department for decades and they are all responsible for creating the culture of corruption and thuggery.

    Then you’re looking at every law enforcement agency in the US being this way. Tell us, then, if not Hughes, WHO should be the acting chief of police now?

    In the real word “honest” guys like Hughes pretends to be never make it up the chain of command. They either remain in patrol or they’re forced out of the department but for whatever reason Saint Hughes made it all the way to chief, yeah… sure.
    When all is said and done this department will end up costing the city an untold amount of money in mainly in settlements, leave pay and training.

    It already has. Grab the article in the OC Weekly or watch the council meeting from Dec 6th. I organized a reading of the entire article. Unfortunately, Ron Thomas got up after we finished and misspoke as to why it was read. A few might have read for the reason he stated but the majority read it for the reason it was organized: to show this history of abuse, brutality, etc in the FPD and how this culture worsened under McKinley’s reign and was fostered by the likes of Jones and Bankhead and continues to be fostered by these three.

    I’ll be blunt. As a tax payer and citizen of this city I don’t give a crap about how nice Hughes is or what Hamilton did to save “the children”, these bastards are costing us a hell of a lot money and they all need to go like Compton and Maywood PD.
    Disband!

    Be as blunt as you like but if you can’t come up with feasible solutions or answers, this is just a rant. A well said one but a rant all the same.

    (first time responding via the quote feature and making comments in between the quoted comments…not sure if I’m doing it right. If not, oops…)

    1. (this reply will probably only make sense to the person I was responding to, myself and perhaps a few others…it didn’t post as I thought it would.)

  26. This Officer or his sucessor, is my choice, in the military justice is said to be swift and sure.
    Fullerton-based Alpha Company 1st Battalion of the 184th Infantry Regiment, Lt. Col. Robert Whetstone.

    “Alpha Company 1st Battalion comprises roughly 130 soldiers. Some face charges of mistreatment of a detainee, assault and making a false statement.

    Authorities withdrew the charges in two of the dozen cases, but those soldiers face penalties that might include lost pay and restricted duty, Whetstone said.”

    1. The FBI are already there, they consolidated the State Police with the California Highway Patrol, crimes committed on government property were investigated by the State Police. CHP has 2 helicopters based in Fullerton.

  27. I think this was the guy that wrote me a ticket for speeding once I wasn’t even speeding and the fucking guy gave me a ticket. They need to pick somebody else.

  28. Joe Sipowicz :
    Well, Chris, I am not leaning toward being so charitable. This is a really small police department, and if Hughes was the captain in charge of the street cops he’s got to have know about all this crap – from Rincon to Ramos.
    Are we really to give him a pass just because he seems like a nice guy and heck, when you stop to think about it he couldn’t have really changed anything all by himself anyway?
    I don’t know. They tried that at Nuremberg.

    Two things on all this. The Captain of Patrol?

    Should have known and he damn sure should have been asking questions.

    This is the 3rd person to be put in charge of FPD since Kelly’s death?

    I’d say there is something going on “within” the walls of FPD and it isn’t good.

    But here is the bottom line if this Captain is “the man”.

    Changes for the good will come quickly and the world will know if this guy is all about “honest” cop work.

    If my partner was killed in the manner Hughes was and I thought someone was playing games, I’d speak my mind too. Don’t give a shit whether it’s a Judge or not.

    I’d apologize if it was warranted, if not take my “contempt” punishment and move on.

    1. Actually a civilian citizen outranks a Five Star General. A military leader is never suppose to question or challege civilian authority. ” FPD is a paramilitary… that anawers to nobody” -Comment from FFF blog. I think they have real psycos for Lawyers.

  29. Tuco has to comment:
    Seems like no one wants to be acting chief. First the chief gets sick (cough, cough), then the acting chief decides to retire, then we now have another captain being made acting chief. The salary boost makes the pension look good so they take it.
    Fullerton needs an outside chief, someone who has a strong background of management skills. Not just someone who talks good like the new acting chief.
    There are too many things going on in FPD that will prove costly in the long run and need to be brought under the control of a strong chief who also brings in a management team.
    These captain “acting chief” types have no management team to bring in. Sgt. Goodlie will still be lying to the public. A number of encouraged retirements need to happen quickly. When I see that occurring then I will know that making captains the acting chief will fix things. Until then, its business as usual at FPD with a smooth talker at the helm.

  30. My analogy, its like a bear trainer in a cage at the circus, but he has a hundred or so bears, at that point its just survival, oh yeah the circus owner, and all the bears arent always friendly. And they dont like the audience.

  31. I think that the people of Fullerton are being snowed, here, judging by the questions posed. There is nothing right about this Chief appointment. The fox is in the henhouse. Actually there is nothing right about this entire situation. Why did Ron take an ‘insurance’ photo of Kelly, and say, that he thought kids with bats must have attacked Kelly? Ron is in law enforcement: All cops know that the ‘gang initiation/kids with bats myth, is a convenient way for cops to put a green light on people who they find to be inconvenient. For example, in most recent time that I was set on fire, by a teenager, it turned out that Officer Woodson (butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth) put him up to it, because I had complained about a guy who Woodson had living a market doorway 24/7 pandering to school girls. (I complained for two years, Woodson said, “I don’t have a problem with Orlando,” when Woodson’s bud Orlando, gave one of my students (age 11) beer and porn and tried to get her into a van, I taped taped the incident and gave the transcript to the PTA, they sent a rep to observe the problem: Woodson’s pet was deported the next day. The very idea of trusting the police is so stupid as to be laughable. We need to get out more, observe the reality of police ‘work’ and decide what to do about it, because we are not asking the right questions. And we won’t because we saw Ron crucify Carolyn Phillips for digging too deep, and doing exactly that.

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