Pomona Police Chief Romero fired
POMONA -- Joe Romero has been fired from his post as the city's police chief.
Romero said he received the news Tuesday morning when he met with City Manager Linda Lowry during one of their regularly scheduled one-on-one meetings.
Romero, who was an at-will employee, said he was not given a reason for his termination, although "the city manager did mention she wants to see the department go in a different direction."
The city administration declined to comment on Romero's employment status.
"At this time, it's an ongoing personnel matter, and we don't comment on personnel matters," said Mark Gluba, assistant to the city manager.
Mayor Elliott Rothman could not be reached for comment.
Council members Cristina Carrizosa and Steve Atchley said they would not comment on the matter because it was a personnel issue.
Romero said it would be inappropriate for him to say what he believes prompted his dismissal.
He said his immediate concerns revolve around his wife, ensuring there is a smooth transition in the Police Department leadership and "the welfare of the city."
Romero, a Pomona native, was a Police Explorer in his teens and eventually became a police officer. He was hired as chief in September 2006.
Romero endured several controversies during his short period atop the Police Department.
In December 2007, a clash with then-Mayor Norma Torres prompted Romero to talk about retirement.
This year, there has been a controversy over the use of checkpoints in the city, an issue that brought criticism from Carrizosa.
In October, Romero objected to an account of his rise through the department in Rothman's campaign literature, which gave the appearance Romero had endorsed Rothman when he had not made any endorsements.
Also that month, Rothman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, but he was found to not be legally drunk at the time.
Romero -- who had 28 months left on his contract -- said he will meet with the city's human resources director and expects to get direction from Lowry on his departure.
He plans to be at work today to address previously scheduled appointments and to meet with the department's command staff.
Romero said he told the department he had been fired.
"What I emphasized is that I didn't want this to become a spectacle," he said. "I don't want it to distract the men and women of the department from the responsibility to protect this city."
Representatives of the city's police labor organizations said Romero's dismissal caught them off guard.
"Obviously, this is very surprising to me and all my colleagues. None of us had an inkling," said Lt. Paul Capraro, president of the Pomona Police Managers' Association.
On Tuesday, there was "a lot of emotion, a lot of speculation and a lot of questions" among members of the department, Capraro said.
But as managers "we will continue to do our jobs with professionalism," he said.
Officer Eddie Vazquez, president of the Pomona Police Officers Association, said Romero's termination comes at a time when the city and the department are facing difficult fiscal times.
The department has lost a number of people to retirement, and those positions aren't being filled because of budget constraints, Vasquez said.
Officers now are wondering how the department will be reorganized, he said.
In a time with so much uncertainty, the chief's departure "is one more stone being added to the pile."
its going in a differant dircetion now they have male hookers besides females walking Holt and dont forget the once in a while drug dealer but i have to sat the homeless seem to be gone and they should be the ones able to stay
Romero is a wonderful person and officer, what a shame. The city will never be able to find a more dedicated chief or one that knows Pomona better. It is a very sad day.
This is almost a joke! It seems several attempts to remove the chief due to personal interest were made, but unsuccessful.
Ask the community who are law abiding, legal and honest what they feel about this situation. I would say they would agree with me and state the city is only looking to their own best interest and not that of the community.
I believe this should be researched as to the real reason for the release.
My daughter's co-worker was hit 3 years ago by an undocumented, unlicensed, uninsured driver and was just released to depart the scene. What if your child or family member was hit and severely injured, there would be no recourse. Chief Romero's checkpoints were necessary and not chosen only because of a certain ethnic population. It is the LAW to carry insurance and be licensed!!
What does the city of Pomona want for their community? And let's be honest.
I think this article should have stated all that chief Romero has done to contribute to the city of Pomona.
This was a LYNCHING !
And those what done it are too cowardly to 'fess up
to it !!!
SHAME !!!!
A cadet since 1975- Chief Romero genuinely cared about Pomona. City council members owe the residents of Pomona an explanation as to why they would fire such a loyal person. This is completely unjustified.
An earlier comment attributed to me was fictitious and the Daily Bulletin was kind enough to remove it. I have had the honor of serving with or for Joe Romero for the past 29yrs. His intergrity and dedication to this community is unquestioned and unmatched. We shared many a "foxhole" together and I will miss him.
Det. Danny Kono
Pomona PD
Is there any talk about integrating the Pomona Police Department into the Los Angeles County Sheriffs? With all the crime, prostitution and drug trade, I think the Sheriffs can do a better job at handling these problems. Can the citizens petition for such a change?
Joe Romero was a fine Chief, and I too believe his untimely termination was politically motivated. Too bad. We get a good chief, who GENUINELY cares for the future of the city, and because people with political ambitions are getting their feelings hurt, he has to go? The only real losers here are the good citizens of Pomona, who lost a good, dedicated chief, in Joe Romero.
I do not believe he has any political ambitions, but I would genuinely like to help, financially, or otherwise, any effort to elect Joe to the city council, or to a legislative position. I haven't got a clue what his political leanings are, but I wholeheartedly support him, because I know what kind of a decent man he is, and how much he truly wants the best for the city, even when it is not in his best interest. Pomona is desperately in need of some true dedication to it's betterment, rather than the betterment of the resumes of those who now hold political office.
God Bless You Joe.