Seal Beach residents call for police chief’s reinstatement amid investigation
Seal Beach residents congregated in the City Council chamber Monday night to show support for Police Chief Joe Stilinovich, who has been on paid administrative leave since Sept. 29, pending the results of a confidential investigation.
Many held paper signs reading “#ReinstateChiefJoe” in red letters.
It was the first council meeting since City Manager Jill Ingram released a statement Oct. 4 announcing that the city had received a formal complaint against Stilinovich. She did not elaborate.
Ingram declined to comment Monday, saying the investigation is continuing.
Cmdr. Joe Miller has been named acting chief.
Residents stood against walls and sat on the floor in the packed chamber. Many had prepared through social media by creating a Facebook page encouraging people to attend the meeting and bring friends to show support for Stilinovich.
Thomas Stretz, president of the Seal Beach Police Foundation, told the council he was disappointed to see that “transparency, credibility and thoroughness were not the hallmarks of the investigation.”
“We are loyal to him not because he asked us, because you can’t ask for loyalty. It has to be earned,” Stretz added.
Stretz released a letter earlier this month saying the chief is being investigated by a third party under the direction of Assistant City Manager Patrick Gallegos.
Findings from the investigation will be sent to Ingram, who would have up to 300 days to determine whether to take action, Stretz added in his letter.
Amid a tense national climate heightened by a spate of police-involved shootings, Stilinovich has “built a trust for police and a love and friendliness” that residents have grown to appreciate since he began working for Seal Beach in 2012, resident Kerry Logan said.
“I would feel so much better having him back at the helm,” Logan said.
Other residents spoke of how Stilinovich is seen with his family shopping and playing in the city, showing he is accessible to the community.
Another speaker recalled how Stilinovich helped place sandbags during a flood at 2 a.m. while off duty and in street clothes.
One resident asked others to raise their hand if they support the chief. Hands shot up amid cheers and applause.
“I believe in Joe and I’ve had a good relationship with Joe,” resident Seth Eaker said. “I believe there is integrity there. ... We need a faster investigation and to reinstate Chief Joe until the investigation is complete.”
