Mayor says she will seek removal of public-safety commissioner after divisive remarks; residents press council for action

Mayor Emma Sharif said at the Dec. 9 meeting that she will formally request removal of a member of the Public Safety Commission following a recent incident she described as divisive.

"I will be formally requesting the removal of Bishop Leroy Guillory from the city's public-safety commission," the mayor said, adding she had spoken with the bishop earlier in the day and was awaiting his response.

Multiple residents spoke during public comment urging the council to act. Naj Ali, introduced to the council as a former resident who said he has national contacts, said Guillory's conduct during a recent Friday event was "shameful" and called for removal from public-safety duties. Abril Villanueva said it should not have taken nine months to remove a public official whose remarks violated decorum and urged the council to follow the city charter and act more promptly.

Maria Villarreal of the Latino Chamber of Commerce told the council the delay in responding to complaints had left many residents feeling ignored and that community members who reported incidents had not gotten timely answers.

Other speakers urged healing and unity while also demanding accountability. Several public commenters reiterated that they want the city to pursue both transparency and reconciliation, and they pressed for clearer, faster investigation outcomes.

Mayor Sharif said she had discussed the matter directly with the commissioner and expected a reply. The council did not vote on removal at the meeting; the mayor said she will formally request that action and the council indicated it would follow charter and investigative protocols before any formal personnel decision.

The meeting record shows sustained public attention on the issue and repeated calls for both swift action and community healing.