Member of School Board Fired From Police Force : Alhambra: Veteran officer’s dismissal comes after state complains that several officers told owners their restaurant was being investigated.

Alhambra school board member Stephen Perry, a veteran Alhambra police officer, has been fired from the police force.

The reason for his Aug. 8 dismissal was not given, but it came one week after a state agency complained that Alhambra police officers had tipped off the owners of a restaurant that was under investigation.

The state Department of Alcohol Beverage Control was investigating the Alhambra restaurant after complaints that it was selling alcohol to minors, said Ken Kelly, ABC district administrator.

More than one Alhambra police officer, Kelly said, tipped off the restaurant’s management. He declined to say whether Perry, a 12-year veteran with the department, was one of the officers.

Perry, who has been a member of the Alhambra school board since 1988, also declined to say if the state investigation was the reason for his firing. Perry said he is the only officer who was fired.

Perry is appealing his dismissal to the Alhambra Civil Service Commission. A hearing date has not yet been set.

“I have been in this community for so long, and people look up to me. This has really put a damper on everything,” said Perry, former president of the Alhambra Police Officers Assn. “I am beat up beyond repair.”

Perry’s attorney, Chuck Goldwasser, also declined to speak about the reasons why Perry was fired.

“I’ve known Steve a number of years, and I think he’s an outstanding person,” Goldwasser said. “I don’t know of anything that would change that opinion at all.”

Alhambra Police Chief Russ Siverling could not be reached for comment. Officer Joe Flannagan, who took over as head of the police officers association in January, declined to speak about Perry’s dismissal.

School board President Dora Padilla said she will be testifying as a character witness on behalf of Perry at the Civil Service Commission hearing.

“I look forward to the opportunity to speak on behalf of Steve,” Padilla said. “He has been an outstanding school board member, and this other problem has nothing to do with his performance as a school board member.”