UPDATE: South Gate Police Associations Endorse Incumbents in Council Race

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UPDATE at 12:23 p.m. on February 7, 2013: The South Gate Police Management Association, the union representing SGPD officers with a the rank of sergeant or higher, has also decided to endorse the incumbents. 

The Police Officers Association, the union representing non-management officers of the South Gate Police Department (SGPD), has informed Patch about their endorsements for the up and coming city council election.

“[On Tuesday] morning I called each of the candidates and personally thanked them for their input,” said Detective Heriberto Gutierrez, who serves as the president of the South Gate POA, in an email to Patch. “I also informed [Vice-Mayor Gil Hurtado] and [Mayor Bill De Witt] that they would be receiving the Police Officer's Association's endorsement.” 

Recently the POA interviewed all three of the candidates and had them answer a written questionnaire. The responses by each candidate to the latter will be published in the next few days by Patch. 

Gutierrez stated that the POA decided to back the candidates that it, “felt would continue to positively impact the City of South Gate.”

The election will take place on March 5^th and only two of the three candidates will have the privilege of serving as councilmembers.

The POA also reached out to candidate Ricardo Reyes to let him know of their decision.

“I reached out to Rick Reyes and informed him that we would not be endorsing him,” said Gutierrez.  “He was understanding of the POA's decision.” 

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