Mayor says she will seek removal of Bishop Leroy Gillery from public safety commission after divisive remarks

Mayor Emma Sharief told the Compton City Council on Dec. 9 that she will "formally request the removal of Bishop Gillery from the city's public safety commission," saying she had spoken to him and had explained her concerns.

"The negative impact I witnessed last Friday, along with the ongoing divisive dialogue, is something I cannot support," the mayor said, adding that leaders must uphold professional standards and "unify our community, not divide it."

What speakers told the council: Multiple public commenters urged prompt removal and criticized the length of time it has taken for council action. Naji Ali, a longtime Compton resident and local leader, called Bishop Gillery's comments "shameful" and supported the mayor's decision. Several speakers said they had previously complained and felt the response had been too slow.

Council response and process: The mayor said she had discussed the matter with Bishop Gillery and expected him to respond; council members and residents asked for a faster process for removing public-safety commissioners when their conduct raises concerns. No formal removal action was taken during the meeting; the mayor said she will submit a formal request to the body for consideration.

Context: The controversy and related public comments were a persistent theme during the meeting. Several commenters described the incident as racially divisive and urged council-led community healing alongside any personnel actions.

Ending: Council members and speakers emphasized a desire for unity while also pressing for transparency and faster enforcement of codes of conduct for advisory committee members.