GARDEN GROVE City Councilmembers. Not pictured is Ariana Arestegui. George Brietigam was absent (Orange County Tribune photo).

By Jim Tortolano
Orange County Tribune

A surprise special meeting of the Garden Grove City Council on Wednesday evening featured unsurprising backing for a resolution in support of the city’s police department and chief, and a surprising refusal to vote on it from one member of the council.

Five members of the council, led by Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein and echoed by Councilmembers Philip Nguyen, Cindy Tran and Yesenia Muneton and Ariana Arestegui, voted in favor of a resolution reading – in its conclusion: “the city council does hereby affirm its support for the Garden Grove Police Department, its officers and the chief of police [Amir El-Farra] in their daily duties and activities providing for the public safety of the city’s residents, businesses and visitors, and encourages the public to report any crime that may be committed and approach the city’s police officers without hesitation or fear.”

Councilman George Brietigam was absent.

Mayor Pro Tem Joe DoVinh recused himself from voting. A recusal usually refers to removing oneself from a case or issue based on potential conflict of interest or the appearance of bias.

Klopfenstein praised the chief for his “professionalism and outstanding leadership.”

Other council members cited El-Farra’s availability and connection to the community, and the GGPD’s status as a leader in the law enforcement community.

But DoVinh didn’t want to support the resolution.

“I guess I’m on the hot seat,” he said. DoVinh, in comments allegedly made in a Vietnamese language news outlet has been accused of criticizing El-Farra and threatening to fire him.

“I have not called for the firing of our chief, or any one on [city] staff,” he said. “I am just calling for accountability.” He added that he has been criticized for “expressing a healthy skepticism” and providing a “check and balance.”

On the issue of who had the power to hire or fire city leadership, he said that authority rested with the city council, of which he was a member.

He also suggested that the recent city council resolutions without specifics may be a waste of time. “Resolutions are not solutions,” he said.

Neither El-Farra nor any other top police department staff were present in the council chamber during the discussion, but the chief spoke to those outside the chamber after adjournment.