Ballot Listing Angers Police Officers Assn.

A City Council candidate’s decision to describe himself on election documents as a police officer, even though he was fired from the Simi Valley police force in February, has angered members of the local police officers union.

And although the Simi Valley Police Officers Assn. has not yet legally challenged David Weiner’s listing on the November ballot as a police officer, the union’s vice president Thursday left open that possibility.

“That’s something we may look into, I’ll say that at this point,” said Sgt. John McGinty. “We feel that the public is being misled.”

Weiner, who has filed a $560,000 claim against the city over his dismissal from the force, said he is entitled to say he was a police officer on the ballot.

The state’s election code allows candidates to list the last job they held during the year in which they seek election, said City Clerk Alice Redondo. Weiner has been unemployed since February.

“You could put down nothing, you could put down unemployed, but I worked here for nine years,” Weiner said. “I think I have every right to use that title.”

Redondo said the code allows citizens to challenge the information contained on election ballots.

However, those seeking to change ballot information must demonstrate that the information is false or misleading, Redondo said. They must also show that the amendments will not interfere with the printing of the ballot.

Weiner was fired following an internal Police Department investigation. Police officials have declined to discuss his case.