In a stunning new development that puts a spotlight on the city’s public safety apparatus, the Merced City Council has directed city staff to send a letter to California’s Office of the Attorney General asking for a probe into the Merced Police Department’s “patterns and practices, systemic issues, and internal policies that impact staff and the community.”
The move, initiated by Councilman Jesse Ornelas, was approved in a split 4-3 vote during a Tuesday night meeting at City Hall, with Mayor Matthew Serratto, and Council members Sarah Boyle and Shane Smith voting NO.
The YES votes included newly elected Council members, Fue Xiong, who was vocal about creating change within the Police Department during his campaign, and Ronnie De Anda, who kept silent during the meeting — the only leader to do so — and did not comment on why he voted to approve the letter.
Their decision comes at a time when the city is actively recruiting a new police chief to lead the department, when questions have been raised about the future of Measure C public safety funding, when police officer staffing levels and retention remains a concern, when special enforcement team members are being eyed for reassignment back into regular patrols, and when nearby cities such as Los Banos are actually finding ways to increase public safety salaries.
Councilman Ornelas, a local Brown Beret member who has led “anti-police brutality” protests, was...
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