Police union backs Fletcher for mayor

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The San Diego Police Officers Association Wednesday
endorsed the mayoral campaign of Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, R-San Diego.

“In our opinion, he is the only candidate who offers the leadership and
commitment necessary to get our city back on track,” said Brian Marvel,
president of the SDPOA. “Nathan has the characteristics that San Diego needs
in a mayor.”

Marvel, in a news conference in front of San Diego Police Department
headquarters, said Fletcher has the willingness to take action to implement his
vision for the city.

Fletcher authored Chelsea's Law, which tightens scrutiny of paroled
sexually violent predators, and ushered it through the Legislature last year.
The law was named for young murder victim Chelsea King, who was killed by a
registered sex offender in Rancho Bernardo.

King's parents endorsed Fletcher last week.

Fletcher said he was “grateful and humbled” to gain the backing of
“the brave men and women in uniform.”

“I am proud to be the choice of police officers and law enforcement,
and will campaign as their choice,” he told news crews.

The assemblyman, who said his first priority as mayor would be public
safety, described himself as a seasoned public servant who could lead the city
out of its recent fiscal difficulties and political divisions.

“It's time to turn the page on the last decade and start anew,” he said.

Marvel said his members' biggest fear is that continued budget
shortfalls could make law enforcement less of a priority for funding, so the
next mayor has to get the city's financial house in order.

He said he does not agree with Fletcher on all the issues, and assumes
that will continue into the future, but he would rather have a mayor who can
lead San Diego “into a more prosperous future.”

During the news conference, another show of law enforcement support for
Fletcher's mayoral run came from the San Diego and Imperial counties chapter of
the Peace Officers Research Association of California. The group's president,
Jesus Montana, told reporters the state lawmaker could provide “the type of
leadership that we need in City Hall.”

He faces Councilman Carl DeMaio, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and
Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego — among others — in next June's primary.