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Torrance council reports closed‑session vote upholding police officer termination
Summary
City Attorney Patrick Sullivan reported the council voted in closed session to uphold a Civil Service Commission decision to terminate a police officer; the matter was heard in closed session under state law.
The Torrance City Council reported Jan. 14 that it voted in closed session to uphold the Civil Service Commission’s decision to terminate a police officer.
Patrick Sullivan, Torrance city attorney, told the council after it reconvened that “during closed session … the city council voted by a vote of 720 to uphold the decision of the Civil Service Commission to terminate a police officer.”
Council had recessed earlier for a closed session described in the agenda as discussion of public‑employee performance evaluations, real‑property and labor negotiations and existing litigation. The hearing on the police officer’s appeal was conducted in closed session unless the officer requested an open hearing; counsel for the department and for the appellant were identified at the start of the matter. The city’s notice cited Government Code provisions authorizing the closed discussion and referenced Penal Code section 832.7 and case law governing confidentiality.
The announcement at the Jan. 14 meeting was limited to the outcome reported by Sullivan. No additional details about the commission’s findings, the officer’s identity, or next steps were stated on the public record at the meeting.
The council’s formal action in closed session was reported immediately after the body reconvened at 7:16 p.m.
