King City acting police chief under fire
The King City Police Department is facing serious leadership concerns. News Channel 5 is digging into a leaked letter of no confidence in Acting Police Chief Alex Tirado, just one day after the department’s former chief was fired.
Former King City Police Chief Ron Forgue said he’s still very familiar with Acting Chief Alex Tirado’s work for the police department. The two spent about three and a half months working closely together.
“I like Alex a lot. I think she’s, still think she is a great officer. People forget she held this police department together with thread and needles during the turmoil,” said Forgue.
On Tuesday, the city announced Tirado would become acting chief, after Forgue was fire without a cause. Forgue said he read the letter of no confidence last week and was planning to open an internal investigation into claims Tirado abused her power as commander.
“I was looking forward to looking at what we could do about it. And at the same time we were in contact with the attorneys, the city managers, and obviously the POA,” said Forgue.
Police Officer’s Association said the letter was to remain confidential.
On Tuesday right in front of the police department, an anonymous man directly handed a letter to a News Channel 5 reporter. The subject reads: “Letter of No Confidence in Acting Commander Tirado.”
The POA accused Tirado of trying to prevent her brother Damien Tirado’s arrest in June after he allegedly threatened to kill a woman if she didn’t find the money to pay him for car damage.
“Tirado abused her position and authority for personal gain and the personal gain of her immediate family member,” the letter stated.
News Channel 5 tried contacting Tirado Wednesday but never heard back.
Also in the envelope was a note that read: “Guess what happens when you are about to open an internal investigation. You get fired.”
Forgue said he doesn’t know why he was fired, but planned on following through with the POA’s request for an investigation into Tirado’s conduct.
“The city council, the mayor, and everybody here wants change, and they want positive change. I can’t see them trying to get rid of a chief because of an investigation. I don’t know, I don’t see that, but I didn’t see this thing coming either,” said Forgue.
The POA had several other accusations, including that some officers fear retaliation.
News Channel 5 also reached out to the city manager but never heard back.
