More changes coming to King City leadership

Major changes coming to the leadership in King City. As the city introduced its new police chief, it was announced the city manager would be leaving his post.

Police Chief Ron Forgue already has a plan for his new department. It starts with stopping gangs.

“I’ve got a 120 day plan,” Chief Forgue said. “I also got a blueprint for change, which is going to be positive all the way around. Basically it’s going to be community involvement. Gang violence is out of control right now and we will stop gangs. That’s my number one thing is to stop gangs.”

But the former Chicago Police officer also wants his officers to be transparent, which is why he said he supports body cameras. He’s starting a new committee — T.R.U.S.T. stands for “To Report Unwarranted Street Tactics.”

“If you’re stopped and you feel like the stop was unreasonable or took longer than what it was supposed to,” Chief Forgue said. “Let us know about it.”

As the leader of a city with a checkered past, Mayor Rob Cullen needs residents to have an open mind.

“I don’t expect certain people from the public to trust him overnight,” Mayor Cullen said. “Trust is a thing that needs to be earned over time.”

Time is running out for city manager Michael Powers’ nine-year tenure with King City. He has decided to pursue other opportunities.

“There are a lot of challenges within the profession and King City has definitely presented its fair share of challenges and I found that my effectiveness with the council has diminished overtime and so it’s time for something new,” Powers said.

During the last closed session council meeting, Powers made an officer to stay six more months to allow the city council more time to find a replacement. That offer will be discussed at tomorrow’s city council meeting. There will also be discussion about whether Powers will pay back what’s left of his home loan to the city.