By Scott Bridges

Culver City police Chief Don Pedersen, who received an overwhelming no-confidence vote from his own force, yesterday was endorsed by his counterparts in the county. The Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association (LACPCA) issued a statement of support for Pederson, whom the Culver City Police Officers Association (CCPOA) seeks to remove from office.

Some 77 of the 89 members of the city’s police officers’ association, composed of officers and sergeants, voted no confidence in the chief, 10 members supported him and two abstained during ballot casting, June 29 — July 2. The vote, according to the police officer’s association, represents a “last resort in the association’s attempts to deal with what many members consider Chief Pedersen’s lack of integrity, abuse of power and failure to lead in -critical decision-making about departmental operations, officer safety and overall best practices for protecting the public.”

“The Chief seems to have no commitment to the department, his officers or the people of Culver City,” said CCPOA President Adam Treanor. “I’m a 12-year veteran and I’ve never seen morale so low.”

The county police chiefs, meanwhile, weighed in contrarily with a statement, which read in part: “Chief Pedersen has been a member in good standing of the LACPCA since January, 2001. Chief Pederson is known amongst his colleagues as a person of good character and a man of integrity … Don has consistently demonstrated good judgment, a low-key and friendly demeanor, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving.”

The statement concluded with an endorsement from the police chiefs association, signed by three current officeholders and a recent association president.

Further support came a short time later when a group of city executive managers circulated a letter to “residents, businesspersons and visitors to Culver City,” which offered support to the chief and expressed disappointment with the CCPOA for an ad it took out in the News, which sought the public’s help in voicing discontent with Pedersen.

The letter, signed by officials from the city’s departments of fire, public works, transportation, planning, building, parks & recreation, finance and information services, stated in part: “Contrary to the statements and implications of the CCPOA’s paid advertisement, it has been our experience through interactions with Chief Pedersen that he is honest, trustworthy, and professionally competent. The City has benefited from his experience and knowledge of police practices.”

Pedersen, who previously served as chief in Signal Hill, has served Culver City for four years, during which time he has allegedly failed to follow rules of conduct which, if broken by rank and file members of the police force, would result in disciplinary action.

According to the police officers’ association, he has shown a “lack of accountability and transparency,” demonstrated by his failure to report a collision to his take-home city vehicle; an inability to make vital decisions as evidenced by his “constant referral of pressing matters to committees and ongoing consultation with his personal attorney, paid for from a special city fund established by [himself].”

The CCPOA further alleges that Pedersen interfered with a criminal investigation involving the son of a city councilman, failed to identify himself as police chief as a search warrant was being served; and has intimidated officers for their participation in their union, which prompted the CCPOA attorney to send a cease-and-desist letter, file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board and threaten litigation.

“As police officers, we have a moral obligation to let residents know when their public safety is jeopardized,” Treanor said in a statement. “To adequately protect residents and businesses, our department must demand the highest caliber leadership, starting at the top. Our community expects, deserves and pays for this kind of leadership and the Culver City Police Officers Association intends to see that this is what’s delivered.”