Police Chief Who Investigated Officials in Orange Is Fired

The City Council voted early Wednesday to fire the city’s police chief for disobeying orders to keep quiet about a police probe into the suspected theft of city funds and for investigating his own bosses.

The decision to dismiss Chief John R. Robertson was made over objections from two councilmen who said the chief was being railroaded from his job. The 3-2 vote came after council members met in closed session with top city officials for nearly three hours to review documents compiled during a four-month investigation that has cost the city nearly $100,000 in attorney fees.

In a statement issued Wednesday evening, City Manager David L. Rudat cited hostile workplace complaints, insubordination and poor judgment as the reasons for Robertson’s termination.

But some officials blamed the chief’s fall primarily on his decision to have fingerprint checks run on Rudat and council members during an investigation last summer in connection with the theft of city revenues from recycled trash.

The three council members who voted for his ouster said Wednesday that they felt betrayed.

“He, by his own actions, lost my trust and confidence,” said Councilman Mike Spurgeon, who joined Mayor Joanne Coontz and Councilman Mark Murphy in voting to fire Robertson.

But Councilmen Dan Slater and Mike Alvarez said the “poor judgment” cited was basically courage on the part of Robertson, who they believe was working to root out corruption.

The vote probably sets the stage for a wrongful termination lawsuit, Robertson’s lawyer said.

“Our objective now is to clear Chief Robertson’s name and return him to a productive law enforcement career,” said attorney Christopher Miller. “Short of an acceptable settlement with the city, a lawsuit will be the solution.”