SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego Police Officers Association endorsed Mayor Todd Gloria’s bid for re-election on Thursday, marking a hit to his challenger police officer Larry Turner who drew blowback over statements on police and fire pensions during a recent debate.
In its statement, the police union expressed concern over “troubling statements” made by Turner on the campaign trail, which they described as “confusing and detrimental to our mission.”
It specifically pointed to “his stance on altering pensions for new hires, his claim that we don’t need more sworn officers on the department, and the release of confidential medical information about our Chief of Police.”
Meet the candidates running for mayor of San Diego
The union went on to praise Gloria for his appointment of Police Chief Scott Wahl, support of pay raises for officers, commitment to recruit new staff, opposition to a city council proposal that would have reshaped police traffic stops, and advocacy for Proposition 36 on the Nov. 5 ballot.