Seal Beach places police chief on leave
Seal Beach Police Chief Joe Stilinovich is on paid administrative leave, pending the results of a confidential personnel investigation, city officials confirmed Tuesday.
City Manager Jill Ingram said in a prepared statement that the city received a formal complaint against Stilinovich. She did not elaborate.
Thomas W. Stretz, president of the Seal Beach Police Foundation, said in a public letter that 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 has up to 300 days to determine whether to take action, Stretz added in his letter.
Cmdr. Joe Miller will serve as acting chief until the investigation is complete, according to the city manager.
Stretz advised against a rush to judgment, calling the decision to place the chief on leave on Sept.29 a “drastic action” that has sparked “small-town rumors and unfounded suppositions.”
“We would remind the community that this process, determined by the city manager, includes a presumption of innocence on the part of Chief Joe ... ,” Stretz wrote. “Urgency and thoroughness of process should be key factors in this investigation and the credibility of the complaint.”
Stilinovich came to Seal Beach in 2012 after 17 years in the Long Beach Police Department. Stretz wrote that community leaders and residents characterized him as “the best police chief” in more than 30 years.
“We concur most heartily,” Stretz wrote, crediting Stilinovich with building positive relationships in the community and an “approachable department in an unfortunate, increasingly hostile, divisive and distrustful world.”
Twitter: @BradleyZint
