Fullerton won't consider disbanding police force, despite potential budget savings

Courtesy Orange County Archives

Fullerton Police Department, 1927. The Fullerton City Council rejected a proposal to consider disbanding its century-old police force Tuesday night.

Fullerton rejected a proposal to consider disbanding its century-old police force Tuesday night and having the Orange County Sheriff's Department take over its duties.

The City Council voted 3-2 not to ask the Sheriff's Department for a preliminary study. The idea had been promoted as a cost-saving measure.

The 144-officer Police Department has a budget of $37 million a year.

Among those opposed was Ron Thomas, father of a mentally ill homeless man who was beaten to death during a police confrontation last year. Thomas told reporters that he's seen police reforms since the death of his son, Kelly.

In the wake of that death, two officers were criminally charged, three left the force, the police chief retired and three council members were recalled.