The State : Mendota Chief Forced Out

Controversial Mendota Police Chief Jack Pina has been forced to resign, and the City Council has contracted with a Fresno police captain to run the department temporarily. Ernest Rojas, 50, was named to head the department until the council decides whether to maintain a police force or contract with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department. Pina was unavailable for comment, but Mayor Leo Capuchino and City Manager Rick Deming confirmed that he had been forced to resign. The county grand jury had criticized the Police Department in the wake of citizen complaints of brutality by the chief. All 13 members of the department voted no confidence in Pina last year and urged that he be fired.