SAN BENITO — The city will launch an investigation based on Police Chief Michael Galvan’s private recordings of conversations downloaded from the police department’s computer system.
For about an hour last night, city commissioners met in closed session with City Manager Manuel De La Rosa and City Attorney Ricardo Morado.
The purpose was “to seek legal advice regarding leaked police chief records,” the meeting’s agenda states.
Commissioners referred questions to Morado.
“The city will investigate the matter and take appropriate action as the investigation unfolds,” Morado said after the meeting.
But Morado declined to disclose whether the city will conduct its own investigation or request an outside agency to investigate.
Morado also declined to disclose whether the investigation will focus on Galvan’s recordings of conversations, the recordings’ downloading — apparently from a public server — or their distribution and possession by unknown individuals.
Galvan, who was not in the small audience at City Hall, apparently hung up his telephone when reached after the meeting.
Last week, Commissioner Esteban Rodriguez said he would request commissioners determine whether Galvan’s recordings violated any laws.
Rodriguez said about 500 of Galvan’s recordings were downloaded and were “floating” around town.
Last week, Galvan said police officers privately record conversations to better support their police cases.
Meanwhile, Galvan said the individual who downloaded the recordings and those in their possession could face felony charges of tampering with evidence.
Galvan also said he would open an internal investigation to determine who downloaded the recordings.
Galvan said he suspected a disgruntled police officer downloaded the recordings in an effort to damage his reputation because he implemented changes in line with police standards.
Galvan’s recordings apparently focus on conversations whose topics include police officer cases and citizen complaints.
Galvan apparently recorded private conversations with local officials including commissioners, city managers, justices of the peace and police officers.
Last year, Galvan took over as police chief after serving as assistant chief since 2012.
