PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The openly gay mayor of Palm Springs, Calif., praised the retirement of the city's police chief who was shown to have made anti-gay slurs during a sex sting.
Chief David Dominguez decided to step down a week after his public apology for an "inappropriate comment" that led to a municipal inquiry into Dominguez's and other officers' conduct during the sting operation and to complaints that the Police Department was discriminatorily targeting gays, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.
The investigation found some officers made anti-gay remarks during the June 2009 undercover operation in which officers posed as decoys to crack down on sexual activity in an area known for such conduct and drug sales. The officers were disciplined previously, the Times reported.
"After careful consideration of the events surrounding the Warm Sands undercover operation, I believe this decision is in the best interest of my family, the city and the Police Department," said Dominquez, who had served as a law enforcement officer for 31 years.
Based on the inquiry's report released late last month, city leaders promised that all city workers would receive lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sensitivity training.
Mayor Steve Pougnet said the chief's retirement decision will allow Palm Springs to "begin the healing process" over the issue.
"We must now redouble our efforts to promote and improve relations with the LGBT community and all of our diverse communities. Only genuine demonstrations of respect, openness and participation will build understanding, trust and acceptance over time," Pougnet said in a statement.
