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Date:12/8/2025 8:51:37 PM
From:"
To:"Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim.net
Subject:[EXTERNAL] 19 - Police Chief
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Dear Mayor and Members of the Anaheim City Council,
I write regarding the recent appointment of Manny Cid as Chief of the Anaheim Police Department. Given the importance of this role, the size and
complexity of the organization, and the significant compensation package being proposed, I believe the process and underlying governance issues
merit additional transparency and public scrutiny.
Key Concerns:
1. Transparency and integrity of the selection process
City communications note community meetings, surveys, and multiple interview panels; however, the final decision was made solely by the City
Manager with no public explanation of how community input or comparative qualifications were weighted. This raises reasonable questions about
whether the process was meaningfully competitive or effectively predetermined. I also question leaving the decision to the City Manager given his
track record of poor decision making, followed by Natalie Rubalcava’s strong support without having even met him.
Source: City of Anaheim press release
Manuel Cid named finalist for
Anaheim’s next chief of police •
Anaheim, CA
anaheim.net
2. Compensation and fiscal stewardship
The reported annual salary of approximately $367,439, along with associated benefits and contract terms, places this position at the very upper
end of comparable agencies across Orange County. This number does not include the additional benefits and incentives (mainly the 12% and 6%,
but also the fact they are reported to CalPERS as compensation. This appears you are hiding money to increase his pay). Before final approval,
the public deserves a clear justification for this compensation in light of Anaheim’s broader fiscal pressures and competing community priorities. A
blind vote on the contract simple shows the city council is complicit in the corruption and misappropriation of city resources. I mean we haven’t
even resolved the last set of issues regarding the items brought about by Kari Bouffard.
3. Record and policy direction in prior departments
In Culver City, Chief Cid implemented a “refocused policing” approach that deliberately reduced enforcement of certain low-level offenses
and traffic violations based on concerns about disproportionality. While policy reform discussions are appropriate, Anaheim residents
deserve clarity on whether similar de-emphasis of quality-of-life crimes is intended here, and how that aligns with Anaheim’s current public
safety needs.
Source: Patch – “Culver City Police Chief Shares Message on ‘Refocused Policing’”
Culver City Police Chief Shares Message On
'Refocused Policing'
patch.com
In Glendale, during Chief Cid’s tenure, the city jail continued to house federal immigration detainees under an ICE/HSI contract, making
Glendale an outlier among California cities and prompting strong community backlash. The contract was ultimately terminated only after
significant public pressure. Anaheim residents are entitled to clarity on how future policy decisions of this nature would be approached.
Sources:
Los Angeles Times – NBC Los Angeles –
Glendale terminates contract with HSI, ICE to
house detainees in its jail
nbclosangeles.com
L.A. suburb is holding ICE detainees in its city
jail, sidelining sanctuary rules
latimes.com
Glendale terminates contract with HSI, ICE to
house detainees in its jail
nbclosangeles.com
4. Perceived alignment with labor interests over organizational balance
Another concern is whether executive decision-making under Chief Cid has leaned toward accommodating labor organizations at the expense of
broader operational balance, fiscal discipline, or management authority. In a city as large and complex as Anaheim, the Chief must demonstrate
independence, neutrality, and the ability to fairly balance community expectations, workforce morale, and managerial accountability — not appear
aligned with any single stakeholder group. Even the perception of catering to union interests can undermine public confidence and executive
credibility. What assurances do we have this isn’t some union cronyism? I’m sure the next complaint is police management, it always is.
Requests for Council consideration:
Public release of finalist evaluation criteria, scoring methodology, and how community input factored into the final decision.
A public discussion and justification of the compensation package, including long-term fiscal impacts.
Clear, written commitments regarding enforcement priorities, accountability metrics, community engagement, and labor-management
balance.
Assurance that future policy decisions — including labor relations and intergovernmental agreements — will be guided by transparency,
consistency with Anaheim’s values, and City Council oversight.
Anaheim residents deserve confidence that this appointment reflects the highest standards of transparency, independence, and fiscal responsibility.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.