OFF THE WIRE
By LOU PONSI
FULLERTON – A councilwoman wants to see all officers involved in a violent clash with a homeless mentally ill man be put on paid administrative leave.
Kelly Thomas, 37, died five days after the confrontation with six police officers that took place July 5 in the bus depot in downtown Fullerton.
Ron Thomas, Kelly's father, has repeatedly said that the officers beat his son to death.
Of the six officers, one is out on medical leave and one is on administrative leave, Councilwoman Sharon Quirk-Silva said, and the others were taken off street duty but are still working.
Felz told Quirk-Silva that the situation was being taken care of, the councilwoman said.
Felz could not be reached for comment Sunday.
The City Council has received hundreds of emails and calls from residents who are "very outraged," Quirk-Silva said.
The police department has been blemished by the incident, Quirk-Silva said, and any chance of faith being restored can only happen after a thorough investigation
The councilwoman also expressed concern for patrol officers, who could become targets of irate citizens.
"As much as I want to get every detail, I also don't want it tried in public until all the information is out," she said.
The Orange County District Attorney's Office and the FBI are conducting separate investigations along with the city, which is conducting an internal investigation.
Ron Thomas supports the efforts of Quirk-Silva but added that harsher action should be taken.
"It things are what they appear to be, I'd like to see them suspended without pay," he said.
Hundreds turned out for a protest Saturday morning at the Fullerton police station and for a candlelight vigil at City Hall in the evening.
"It gives us hope," Thomas said of the picketers who turned out. "It shows that all my efforts are not just in vain."
Many of the protestors promised to join Thomas at this Tuesday's City Council meeting to support his family and demand justice for Kelly, Thomas said. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Fullerton City Hall.
Earlier reports from police officials have said that one is on medical leave but the remaining five are working
In an email sent Friday to Fullerton City Manager Joe Felz, Quirk-Silva wrote: "I not only request, but demand that action be taken to remove all police officers involved with this incident. Every time a siren goes off in Fullerton a wave of concern settles in."
Kelly Thomas, 37, died five days after the confrontation with six police officers that took place July 5 in the bus depot in downtown Fullerton.
Ron Thomas, Kelly's father, has repeatedly said that the officers beat his son to death.
Of the six officers, one is out on medical leave and one is on administrative leave, Councilwoman Sharon Quirk-Silva said, and the others were taken off street duty but are still working.
Felz told Quirk-Silva that the situation was being taken care of, the councilwoman said.
Felz could not be reached for comment Sunday.
The City Council has received hundreds of emails and calls from residents who are "very outraged," Quirk-Silva said.
The police department has been blemished by the incident, Quirk-Silva said, and any chance of faith being restored can only happen after a thorough investigation
The councilwoman also expressed concern for patrol officers, who could become targets of irate citizens.
"As much as I want to get every detail, I also don't want it tried in public until all the information is out," she said.
The Orange County District Attorney's Office and the FBI are conducting separate investigations along with the city, which is conducting an internal investigation.
Ron Thomas supports the efforts of Quirk-Silva but added that harsher action should be taken.
"It things are what they appear to be, I'd like to see them suspended without pay," he said.
Hundreds turned out for a protest Saturday morning at the Fullerton police station and for a candlelight vigil at City Hall in the evening.
"It gives us hope," Thomas said of the picketers who turned out. "It shows that all my efforts are not just in vain."
Many of the protestors promised to join Thomas at this Tuesday's City Council meeting to support his family and demand justice for Kelly, Thomas said. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Fullerton City Hall.
In an email sent Friday to Fullerton City Manager Joe Felz, Quirk-Silva wrote: "I not only request, but demand that action be taken to remove all police officers involved with this incident. Every time a siren goes off in Fullerton a wave of concern settles in."
