City of Calexico dismisses Police Chief

Calexico dismisses their police chief and gives no explanation for it.

Former Calexico Police Chief Reggie Gomez had been on the job for just a little bit over two years.

He took over the department in 2015 at a time when it was under FBI investigation for alleged corruption. City Council Member Armando Real said Gomez brought credibility back to the department and improved the way it was run, despite a diminishing police budget.

Real said City Manager David Dale gave no reason for the chief’s termination, but Real hinted at budget disagreements between the two.

Real said the city has been talking about the option of bringing the Sheriff’s Office in to take over. He said it’s all a matter of what the city can afford.

“It’s not just the Police Department. There are a lot of things that can be outsourced in the city, from our Planning Department to our Water Department to Finance, Fire Department. The Police Department is not the only one. So, everything has been talked about, everything has to be on the table.”

Lt. Gonzalo Gerardo steps in as Acting Police Chief.