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Controversial Fullerton Police Chief on Medical Leave to Retire
Sellers
The controversial man who has been the head of a controversial SoCal police force has announced his pending retirement today. Fullerton Police Chief Michael Sellers will retire February 18th. Sellers has been on medical leave since shortly after the July beating death of transient Kelly Thomas, amid accusations officers there used aggressive force enough to kill the troubled man.Sellers became the chief in May 2009, according to City News Service. In August 2011, he went on a questionable medical leave, however a recent settlement resolved any issues of worker's compensation with the city.
Sellers' initial replacement, Capt. Kevin Hamilton, also plans to retire. Capt. Dan Hughes is currently Fullerton's acting Chief, and City Manager Joe Felz says no decision has been made on a permanent replacement for Sellers.
Two officers have been charged in the death of Thomas. The Fullerton PD has also had other serious allegations levied against them, including from a college student who claims his head was slammed into the gutter by cops, and one officer stands accused of sexually assaulting 12 women. Oh, and a few months ago the force issued an apology for drawing guns on a Pastor's family during a botched narco raid in 2010.
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