A week after apologizing to the gay
community, Palm Springs Police Chief David Dominguez has decided to
step down form his post, the Los Angeles Times reported.
On December 28, the city released its
findings of a probe into the police department's handling of a June
2009 undercover sex sting operation that targeted gay men in the Warm
Sands neighborhood, prompting Dominguez to apologize for making an
“inappropriate comment.”
Dominguez said “what a bunch of
filthy motherfuckers” and told officers participating in the raid
that they “should get paid extra for this,” according to a
complaint filed by an officer who took part in the sting.
According to the complaint, handsome
and muscular young police officers dressed in tight jeans and
wifebeaters lured gay men by rubbing their crotches. The sting
netted 19 men.
In delivering his report, City Manager
David Ready called the operation unprofessional.
“Portions of the operation were not
conducted according to the professional standards that are expected
of our police department,” he said. “As a result, appropriate
disciplinary correction action has already been taken.”
“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,” Dominguez said in announcing his retirement.
Mayor Steve Pougnet, an openly gay 2010
congressional candidate, said Dominguez's decision will allow Palm
Springs to “begin the healing process.”