Reprint from the Progress Times - September 19, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

 

Chief suspended

 

By David Rodriguez

 After a lengthy meeting of the Palmhurst City Council on September 16, most of it spent behind closed doors in executive session, Police Chief Ron Cooper found himself suspended. The next morning, Sergeant Mike Vela of the Palmhurst Police Department found himself promoted.

This latest development, in what has become a saga for the small town, comes on the heels of more than a couple of council meetings that have descended into vitriol and name-calling. One of the major issues has been Chief Cooper.

Last month Cooper filed a grievance against Mayor Pro-Tem Janie Cantu-Cabrera claiming she was harassing him by insisting on going through call logs and interfering with his duties in general. Cantu-Cabrera then levied her own allegations that Cooper was, in the words of the agenda “soliciting political support and soliciting donations, done without Council approval, and criticizing city administration.”

Cooper continues to criticize the administration.

“The allegations are just as vague as they can be,” said Cooper. “The new police chief was part of their plan. They didn’t follow procedure. If I’m only going to be suspended for a few weeks, the Lieutenant, who is second in command, should have taken command.”

Mayor Ramiro Rodriguez, who has been staunchly supportive of Cooper throughout, also raised the specter of a premeditated plan and said he was informed of the decision to name Vela as interim chief via email Wednesday morning by City Manager Lori Lopez.

“The whole purpose in getting rid of Chief Cooper is because he ran a straight ship,” said Rodriguez. “I wonder why it is that he filed a grievance against the Pro-Tem and now these allegations come out.”

Cantu-Cabrera could not be reached for comment.

Personnel attorney Arnold Aguilar will be conducting the investigation into complaints from both sides.

Cooper has been with the Palmhurst force since its inception in 2005. He was named chief last year after former Police Chief Ricardo Garza resigned to pursue other interests.

According to Cooper, he intends to fight for his job.

“I have legal representation and I’m going to fight it,” said Cooper.