King City working to move forward after police department scandal

Putting the past behind them, leaders in King City told News Channel 5 they have no other choice but to move forward. In the last year, seven King City police officers were arrested.

“It’s been stressful. But I think everyone is focused on the same thing. Rebuilding and coming out stronger as a result of going through the stuff that we’ve gone through the last year,” said King City Mayor Robert Cullen.

Six of the officers, including the former chief, were arrested in a corruption scandal in February. Plus, earlier this month another King City officer was taken into custody for allegedly threatening his ex-girlfriend and another man at gunpoint.

“I know that we have our issues and we’re working very hard on those issues,” said Cullen.

On Tuesday, the King City council heard an update from City Manager Michael Powers regarding the hiring process of a new chief. Powers said staff is in the middle of the application process. He hopes to have interviews complete by January 2015, and a new chief hired in March.

“Certainly there’s a challenge here. The standard of employment, salary and benefits exists, but people look at difficult situations as achallenge, as a chance to make a name for themselves. And we certainly expect that we will have some up and coming people who will be very interested,” said Powers.

Following the November elections, the community made it clear they want a change at city hall by electing two new city council members. One of them is Mike LeBarre, who said the only direction to go is up.

“King City has so much potential, and not just King City but quite honestly south county. Every city in south county has the potential to grow and grow and grow,” LeBarre.

LeBarre has been living in King City for over 10 years. He said trust and safety are the biggest issues the community is facing.

As a former city parks and recreation department employee, he said one more immediate solution is to put in more street lights around local parks.

“We all want safety and every family wants a good education and a community they feel safe in, and they also want a community where they feel valued and respected,” said LeBarre.

Respectis something Cullen wants to bring back to the King City police department.

“It’s tough, there’s no two ways about it. It’s certainly been a stressful time period for myself, for the city council for the city staff, for the existing officers,” said Cullen.