Naming Salinas Police headquarters after Mayor Gunter moves forward

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV)

The new Salinas Police Service Headquarters could soon be named after Mayor Joe Gunter.

The city council voted unanimously Tuesday night to move towards naming the headquarters after Gunter, but with a public comment period on the topic.

Gunter passed away June 29th. He was with the Salinas Police Department for more than 30 years and was elected Mayor of Salinas in 2012.

"This (a new police headquarters) was promised to him when he was a new officer, back in the day. It was a promise that the city had continually made to the officers that had worked at the Salinas Police Department. It was kind of fitting that as mayor he was able to see it through, although no longer an officer or detective with the Salinas Police Department, but it did come through. And I remember comments that he made that he thought it would never happen in his lifetime - but it happened," Councilmember Scott Davis said.

Davis suggested naming the building the "Joseph 'Joe' Gunter Police Service Headquarters," but where/how the proposed name would be displayed, and exactly what the name would be, is still up for future discussion.

The council agreed with the motion to allow for a 30 day public comment period.

The proposal will also be sent to the city finance committee to figure out how much this change will cost and how it will be paid for.