Monrovia PD sex suit details revealed

The Foothill Cities Blog didn’t print the specifics in a suit against the Monrovia PD and the city. But we did.

Nathan McIntire reported today that Rudy Ramirez, 25, a former Monrovia jailer and police Explorer, allleges that Monrovia police Sgt. Daniel Verna sexually abused and harassed Ramirez.

Verna, who is recovering from a shotwound, did not return calls for comment. Neither did the police chief. City Manager Scott Ochoa confirmed that the city is aware of the suit but has not been formally served.

Considering the recent difficulties the city and Monrovia’s police union have had in reaching contract negotiations, there’s no doubt this will have an impact. But is the lawsuit purely political?

Local blog gets access to Monrovia PD lawsuit

Foothill Cities Blog today posted information about a lawsuit filed against the Monrovia Police Department and the city of Monrovia.

“To be sure, the allegations in the filing are tremendously troubling. They involve issues of sexual assault, sexual harassment, police misconduct and failures of leadership and management to address the first three. True or not, the suit is roiling the already tense MPD.”

But, Foothill Cities said the suit is, “more like a soap opera script than a legal filing.” There are a number of allegations that the blog highlights, but leaves names because the “allegations would be profoundly damaging to the reputations of the accused, whether they are true or not.,” according to FCB.

Click here to read the Foothill Cities Blog post.

Residents air frustrations

Interesting comment string on Melissa Pamer’s story about frustrations over the Monrovia Police Officers Association’s recent negoiating tactics.

Here’s one example of the comments:

The real story here is the comments that have emmenated from Councilman Adams’ escrow business:

– Monrovia police officers are lazy

– They’re underworked security guards, worth about $15/hour

– They harrass people and write bogus tickets

– They use their guns to get money from people

-The last MPD officer to be injured on the job was hurt because he ate too many donuts at once.(Actually, Sergeant Verna was shot in the face on March 30).

Councilman Adams has not disassociated himself from the comments, nor decried them. Because, the bottom line is, Adams, like much of the council, fundamentally disrespects the work of police officers.

Open for business

Looks like residents can keep using the Sawpit Wash Trail in Monrovia to jog and walk their dogs, Melissa Pamer reports.

The city had been embroiled in lengthy litigation with a local homeowner who wanted to restrict accesst to the trail where it crosses his property.

But a Pasadena Superior Court judge has sided with the city to keep the trail open to the public.

The story
is defintely worth the read.

Monrovia PD steps up negotiation tactics

Melissa Pamer reports on the ongoing negotiations between Monrovia and its police department, which has recently stepped up its tactics by threatening a recall election and by putting up billboards.

On Monday, police launched a telephone poll to gauge voter enthusiasm for recalling three City Council members. On Wednesday, the union began two police-supported ballot initiative petition drives. And on Friday, two billboards critical of the City Council and city manager – and paid for by the police union – went up just outside Monrovia.

Also, the union Thursday appealed an April 23 decision by a Pasadena Superior Court judge denying its request for a neutral arbitrator to help forge a new contract.

City Manager Scott Ochoa, whose own compensation package has come under fire from the MPOA, called the recent actions “publicity stunts” that would not influence city officials. However, he said the tactics had made negotiations “distasteful.”

Monrovia cops demanding more money

More money. That’s what Monrovia officers continue to ask its City Council, Melissa Pamer reports.

MONROVIA – The police union plans to continue lobbying publicly for increased pay, following a move by the City Council to unilaterally implement a one-year contract.

Dozens of off-duty officers and their family members picketed City Hall prior to a contentious council meeting Tuesday night, holding blue “Support Our Police” signs.

The 72-member Monrovia Police Officers’ Association had in recent days sought public support for its efforts to get a 23.2$ 5 $7raise. Residents received e-mails, automated phone calls and mailers after months-long contract negotiations came to an impasse almost two weeks ago.

The city responded with its own campaign, saying Monrovia could not afford to satisfy the MPOA’s demands.

The association on March 6 rejected the city’s offer of a 16.5 percent raise over 3 1/2 years, paving the way for the implementation of the “last, best and final” offer.

Does anyone know the current salaries that these officers are getting? How about the police chief? I’m just curious.