The Letter

The Arcadia Police Officer Union recently wrote to the City Manager and City Council asking to renegotiate their contract terms regarding the appeals process for demotions, suspensions and terminations.

What's This About?

• Last year, my neighbor Sonia Martin and I filed a complaint of misconduct against a police officer who serves on the executive board of the Arcadia Police Officer’s Association. We linked the officer to an anonymous Instagram account that was sending Sonia and me threatening messages (click here to read prior email). The investigation has been completed since my email of August 29 and the officer was found to have committed misconduct. I believe he is now facing disciplinary proceedings.
  
• The union president writes: “the [Police Officers] Association believes the ultimate decision-making responsibility should rest with a majority of the elected Council”. The current majority of City Council was endorsed by the police union.
  
• I believe the letter was crafted to shield the officer who committed misconduct. At its core, the union appears to be seeking a City Council that answers to them, banking on the exchange of leniency for endorsements and contributions to their campaigns.
  

Violation of the City Charter

• Arcadia is a Charter City. Under the City Charter (our "Constitution"), the City Manager is the appointing authority and is responsible for personnel matters, including discipline and termination of all employees.
  
• A change like this would expose the City to possible litigation over whether or not it violates the City Charter.
  

Politicization of the Police Department

• Allowing council members to decide discipline makes the process political, not professional.
  
• Officers would begin to align with political factions, campaign for or against council members, and feel pressured to enforce the law differently based on political loyalties.
  
• This undermines public trust and can destabilize both the police force and city governance.
  

Increased Liability and Financial Risk

• Wrongful termination or retaliation suits would multiply.
  
• Settlements and legal fees would become a major burden on taxpayers.
  

Damage to Morale and Recruitment

• Officers will feel their careers depend on political favor, not performance or merit.
  
• This damages morale, discourages qualified recruits, and drives away experienced, professional personnel who are committed to service.
  
• Ultimately, public safety and service quality decline.
  

Public Perception and Governance Breakdown

• Residents may view the council as using personnel decisions for retaliation or favoritism.
  
• Once that trust is lost, it’s very difficult to rebuild.
  
• The City Manager’s authority and ability to run other departments effectively is weakened, creating dysfunction across city governance.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Imagine a system where misconduct could go unchecked if city council grants leniency to an officer in exchange for political endorsements, mailers, and campaigning.

What will happen when a resident is mistreated by an officer during a traffic stop, for example, and nothing is done because that officer is a union member and the majority of council wants to maintain an endorsement?

If officers know their actions won’t be held accountable because the Council majority wants the endorsement of police and fire unions, what’s to stop misconduct from continuing?

That’s not the reputation our police officers deserve or want. Accountability protects everyone, including the integrity of the badge.

When oversight becomes political, justice becomes optional.

CLOSED SESSION PLANNED FOR OCTOBER 17, 2025

The City Manager has indicated to City Council that a closed session will be held to discuss this issue on Friday, October 17, 2025.

You can send public comments before then to citycouncil@arcadiaca.gov if you want to express your opinion about it.

I will send an email blast if this proposal gets adopted.

NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2025 AT 7PM

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

240 W HUNTINGTON DR, ARCADIA

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