LA MESA
Twenty-five potential candidates have applied to become the next police chief in La Mesa, according to city officials who expect to announce the new hire in April.
La Mesa’s previous police chief, Walt Vasquez, retired last August. A pair of police captains have been serving as acting chiefs on a rotating basis.
Los Angeles-based executive recruiting firm Teri Black & Company is conducting the nationwide search at a cost of $25,400. City Manager Greg Humora said the firm has recruited police chiefs for 10 California cities in the past two years.
The application period for the job was open between Jan. 13 and Feb. 15, according to Humora. The 25 applications are now being screened, with the “most highly qualified candidates” to move onto an interview phase.
LA MESA
In a year filled with the cancelation of so many events, the La Mesa Village Association is going forward with its annual Holiday in the Village.
Social distancing protocols will be in place to discourage the spread of COVID-19. While there will be no place to visit with Santa Claus, and no live bands playing or holiday dancers, the downtown village area will be lit up as in years past with festive decorations and alive with sound from strolling carolers and piped-in holiday music.
The free event is scheduled for 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, along La Mesa Boulevard between Palm Avenue and Fourth Street.
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A woman partially blinded by a police beanbag round during a protest in La Mesa in late May has sued the officer who fired the round, accusing him of battery.
In a lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court last week, Leslie Furcron also claims Detective Eric Knudson inflicted emotional distress and violated her First Amendment right to protest.
Among other allegations, the lawsuit contends Knudson violated the Police Department’s policies and standard law enforcement practices, alleging he fired a beanbag round into a large crowd at a long distance and aimed at Furcron’s head instead of her arms or legs.