Report to Mayor and City Council
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
DISCUSS, MODIFY AND PROVIDE FURTHER DIRECTION ON ASSISTANCE TO THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT WITH RESPECT TO CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS FOR THE NEXT CAPTAIN OF THE CARSON STATION
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I. SUMMARY
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (“LASD”) has offered the City the opportunity to participate in the process for selecting the next Captain of the Carson Sheriff Station. Jason Skeen, the previous Captain of the Carson Station has been promoted to the position of Commander.
LASD has asked that we identify four representatives of the City to serve on an interview panel alongside one representative for District 2 of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The unincorporated areas in District 2 are also overseen by the Carson patrol station. The panel’s recommendation of a top candidate will be provided to Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva for his consideration and final decision.
At the Special City Council meeting held on December 15, the City Council unanimously appointed then Councilmember Lula Davis-Holmes, Mayor Pro Tempore Jim Dear, Councilmember Jawane Hilton, and the Chair of the Public Safety Commission to serve on the Committee. Also, the City Council expressed its interest in having the City Manager participate as a non-voting member.
This item is returning for reconsideration at the request of Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes. The City Council is asked to consider replacing the previously designated panel with all four currently seated City Councilmembers. It should be noted that having more than two City Councilmembers on the Committee will require public noticing of the meeting in accordance with the Brown Act. Because the Captain position is a civil service recruitment through LASD, interviews are confidential personnel matters and will be held in closed session.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
APPROVE a four-member Committee consisting of Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Dear, and Councilmembers Jawane Hilton and Cedric Hicks to participate in the interview process for the next Captain of the LASD Carson Station; and to include Pastor Michael Ealey, President of the Carson Ministerial Alliance, and City Manager Sharon Landers as non-voting members.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
Jason Skeen was appointed as Captain of the LASD Carson Station in October 2016. Jason Skeen has been promoted by Los Angeles County Sheriff Villanueva to the position of Commander and has been transferred to LASD Headquarters. In his new position as Commander, he will oversee several patrol stations in the South Patrol Division, one of which includes the Carson Station.
LASD is expected to present five final candidates to the interview panel for consideration. The interview panel’s recommendation of a top candidate will be taken into consideration by Sheriff Villanueva in making his selection to fill the Captain position.
In addition to the four City Councilmembers, it is suggested that other non-voting interview panel representatives for the City of Carson include Pastor Michael Ealey, President of the Carson Ministerial Alliance, and City Manager Sharon Landers.
The interviews are expected to be scheduled immediately.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
None
VI. EXHIBITS
None
Prepared by: Sharon Landers, City Manager
Michael George, Assistant to the City Manager