The Calexico City Council took no action on the employment contract for its interim police chief on Tuesday night, voting unanimously to take the matter off the agenda for the evening.
The Imperial Valley Press reports the vote came after a closed session meeting, which was supposed to include performance evaluations for interim Chief Michael Bostic and City Manager Richard Warne, as well as a meeting with representatives from the Calexico Police Officers' Association. The council also removed an agenda item to consider contracting with the Imperial Valley Sheriff's Department for police services.
Before the closed session meeting, there were public comments for and against keeping Bostic, who has said he is trying to clean up the Calexico Police Department. Last December, Bostic told KPBS the force was riddled with abuse and corruption, and accused union members of acting like the mob. The union has accused Bostic and other city leaders of union-busting and retaliation for the Calexico Police Officers' Association's political activities.
An FBI investigation is underway and the Calexico Police Department is undergoing a review by the federal Department of Justice. A federal lawsuit has also been filed by seven fired police officers against Bostic, the city and several city leaders.
