The Tulelake Police Chief could soon be back on patrol, following a vote by the Tulelake City Council.
Chief Tony Ross was placed on leave last June, following an apparent complaint of racism.
Tulelake Police Chief Tony Ross, and the department’s only officer Misty Stradley were placed on leave June 26th following a joint investigation by the F.B.I. and the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office.
Tulelake Mayor Randy Darrow believes the investigation was sparked by an arrest made by Chief Ross on February 3rd, Superbowl Sunday…
“The allegation was misconduct, racial.”
Former Tulelake Mayor John Crowell told KOBI in July he had spoken with a witness to the incident…
“From what I understand, the guy took off running, and when he took off to run, then the Chief then hit him with that taser in his leg.”
But current Mayor Darrow reports that the Tulelake City Council has voted to free the chief of any blame…
“Last night, the city council voted 3 to 2 to exonerate Mister Ross, the Chief of Police on policy part of the investigation.”
That’s good news to Leah Ross, former wife of the Chief…
“That means that he’ll be able to go back to work after they have their special meeting on Tuesday night, to have Siskiyou County turn over equipment, and keys, then they’ll probably put him back to work.”
Even though the F.B.I. and Siskiyou County investigation has not yet been completed.
A release from the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office last June estimated the investigation would take 30 days…it has now been 11 weeks.
An F.B.I. spokesperson was not at liberty to comment on the status of that investigation.
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