The search is underway for the next chief of the San Fernando Police Department (SFPD), but city officials aren’t commenting on the hiring process or expected timeline for someone new to step into the role after the sudden departure of outgoing SFPD Chief Fabian Valdez.
City officials surprised many San Fernando residents on June 5, when they announced through a news release that Valdez would be “retiring.” But after receiving some questions about the circumstances that caused the chief to “retire,” one week later, they congratulated him on his new appointment as director of the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy, a position that Mayor Joel Fajardo said “took months to vet.” Those close to the chief have maintained that during those months, Valdez was “pushed out” and sought employment elsewhere.
Last week, San Fernando City Manager Kanika Kith told the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol that John Perez, retired chief of the Pasadena Police Department (Pasadena PD), would “help oversee police operations,” but she was unclear in explaining who’s leading daily department briefings or handling the daily supervision of the department.
She said Perez will assist in selecting a new chief for the SFPD, which has been rife with conflicts and pushback when attempts were made to carry out discipline of officers both before and during Valdez’s tenure.
Perez, who served for 36 years with the Pasadena PD, has been mired in multiple controversies of his own.
Among them: Anthony McClain was shot in the back and killed by Pasadena PD officers as he fled a traffic stop in 2020. The incident drew enormous backlash and resulted in a $7.5 million wrongful death settlement. And during a traffic stop in 2017, officers arrested Christopher Ballew after violently beating him, which later led to a $3.2 million settlement for Ballew. Community members and local activists called for Perez’s resignation in 2020 and 2021.
Perez retired as Pasadena PD chief in early 2022. He has been providing consulting services for the SFPD since last summer.
Kith has declined several requests for an interview to clarify Perez’s expanded role and SFPD operations during the transition period, and provide more details about selecting a new chief. Kith said the city currently isn’t granting interviews about the SFPD, and referred the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol to Raul Riesgo of the Merino Group, a public relations company.
Public records show that the city contracted the Merino Group in February for $55,000 for one year of public relations services, an expense the city claimed it could not afford in years past.
At this week’s San Fernando City Council meeting, Perez sat in what was Valdez’s chair next to Kith in the council chambers. Valdez cleared out his desk last week ahead of his official retirement date of June 19. Kith said he had taken time off.
Kith said in an email Monday that as the hiring process moves forward and “interim leadership is in place, the city will provide updates on department operations and next steps.”
Once again, it appears that the blind is leading the blind. First thing last lasting things first no process.
I cannot believe John Perez was asked to resign or a voter of no confidence in The Pasadena police Department and now he’s leading The San Fernando police Department. It appears the city is in Square one, trying to find a solution after creating chaos. Horrible, horrible leadership skills. In addition hiring a firm to try to make things look good for $50,000. Outrageous.