Guadalupe’s embattled pick for Public Safety Director sworn in

Guadalupe has a new Police and Fire Chief.

Their embattled pick for Director of Public Safety was sworn-in Tuesday night.

Michael Cash’s previous posts with the San Diego Police Department, San Diego Chargers and Southwestern College have come under scrutiny. Multiple media outlets report that Cash allegedly covered up sexual assaults, misused police funds by hiring friends and inaccurate crime log reporting.

Cash entered into a two-year contract with the City of Guadalupe with a $104,000 salary. His first day on the job is Wednesday.

“Last time I was here, I defined this hiring as a fiasco. Now I define it as a failure, a failure on your behalf,” said Jeannie Mello, addressing the Guadalupe City Council during public comment.

Guadalupe City Council members were immediately put on the defense at Tuesday’s meeting.

“I saw the news articles, the one-sided opinionated news articles and to think that Mr. Cash was not questioned about those really does irk me,” said Gina Rubalcaba, Guadalupe City Council member.

City officials are adamant that Michael Cash interviewed very well and explained the alleged transgressions that have plagued his hiring.

“He went through a very extensive and thorough background check as you would on any law-enforcement candidate, which is far more extensive than a non-safety employee,” said Amelia Viega, City of Guadalupe Human Resources.

However, questions and apprehension remain in the community.

“What the hell was he doing with his finger anywhere near the trigger of his gun inside a police facility? Perhaps Michael Cash can man up and answer that question himself,” said Mello.

While Cash admits to what he calls an accidental discharge and can see where some folks in the community would be concerned, he says you have to look at the context.

“That did happen, that’s not an allegation, and that’s what I think this little soundbite, sometimes things get miss-skewed,” said Cash.

Guadalupe’s new Police and Fire Chief pledges to be an open book but asks for an open mind in return.

“I’m not always going to be right, but I’ll tell you one thing I’m going to try,” said Cash.

Cash dodged the reporting of the accusations against him as being editorials and had this to say when told this was his chance to clear the air with the community.

“It’s one thing to have allegations it’s another thing to have something proven that this is what you did,” said Cash.

Cash would not address his so-called checkered past on camera, instead suggesting a sit-down talk at a later basis to discuss everything on an individual basis.