Police Chief Position Eliminated

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Story Published: Jan 7, 2009 at 7:29 PM PDT

By Sade Malloy

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Mabton -- He used to be Granger's police chief and he used to be Mabton's police chief, but now he's just a regular Joe. Was it money or politics that cast aside the top cop in Mabton?

"Yeah it has too many problems, too many problems," says Mateo Borgada.

The list of problems just keeps growing in Mabton. First it was the constant bickering and disagreements within city council, then a late start to this year's budget and now they're a town without a police chief. It's got some locals worried for their safety like Mary Bates.
"Well yeah, I do worry that we don't have a police chief to protect us," she tells Action News.

The decision to eliminate Chief Robert Perales' position was finalized Tuesday night. City council members tell me they had no choice if they wanted to stay in the black, now they think it's possible to end up with a surplus. Mario Martinez, Mabton City Councilman says, "We're in charge of budget and contract and we were trying to find the best option for the city."

Perales says losing his job took him by surprise but he feels it was always the Mabton city council's intent to get rid of him.
"It was not fair it was improper and it should have been a negotiated item way before the budget was approved," says Robert Perales, former police chief.

He says he's been a strong supporter of the Mabton mayor and that's been a major issue since city council and Mayor Velva Herrera don't see eye to eye.

Mario Martinez, Mabton City Councilman says, "We were told by the Mayor he was here on a temporary basis until we could figure out what we wanted to do on a long term basis." Right now a police chief isn't in Mabton's long term plan.

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