Concerns raised over gun-toting councilman

Torus Tammer

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- Councilman Chuck Conlosh, who has been embroiled in

a jousting match with city officials over his allegations of wrongdoing,

is now being questioned by his colleagues for his practice of placing his

service revolver on the dais during meetings.

“I have never felt unsafe, and although I recognize that he feels he

is a police officer 24 hours a day, I am uncomfortable with a weapon

being placed on the dais during public meetings,” said Councilwoman

Laurann Cook. “If he feels the need to carry the gun, I wish it would be

at least out of view, because every time he talks to council members,

it’s there. Am I uncomfortable about this? Yes. Do I think there is a

need for it? No.”

But Conlosh, who sparked controversy when he leveled charges of

malfeasance against his colleagues, sees the gun as protection. During

his career as a police officer, Conlosh, who now works in Huntington

Beach, said he has encountered a number of menacing people.

“I’ve arrested many dangerous people, and there have been many

instances when people have tried to get revenge against the police,”

Conlosh said. “So I carry my duty weapon in a fanny pack everywhere. It

is an accepted practice among officers and something that my chief knows

about.”

Not all police officers share his opinion.

Sgt. Jim Potts, a 27-year veteran police officer of the Irvine Police

Department, has been serving for more than 10 years on the Tustin City

Council, two of them as mayor.

“He [Conlosh] has the right to do it [carry his gun]. However, I just

don’t see the need,” Potts said. “I don’t know him, but personally I

really never felt it necessary to have my gun at a council meeting, and

that’s my opinion.

“If he’s doing this and it is not appreciated by other council members

and if he’s not willing to consider changing, then it’s inconsiderate and

displays a lack of maturity and judgment,” Potts added.

Fountain Valley Police Chief Elvin Miali, who attends council meetings

regularly, said his only concern with his fellow police officer’s actions

is that they be within the law.

“As long as Huntington Beach allows it within their jurisdiction, then

it doesn’t bother me,” Miali said.

Tom Newton, general counsel for the California Newspaper Publishers

Assn., agrees.

“Although I’ve never experienced anything like this, I don’t know of

anything that makes what he’s doing unlawful or a violation of the Brown

Act,” he said.

Michael Gold, deputy director of the Orange County League of Cities,

said he knows of no other situation like the one in Fountain Valley.

“To be honest, I’ve known of officers who have been council members

but was not aware if they carried a weapon or not,” he said.

While most of Conlosh’s council colleagues say they take issue with

his practice of bringing the gun to meetings, Mayor Guy Carrozzo said he

is not concerned about it. Carrozzo said he thinks a “police officer has

a right to carry a concealed weapon.”

Councilman John Collins said the issue is relevant and a concern, and

Cook said she feels as strongly about the matter as does Councilman Larry

Crandall.”There is no need to have the gun when city members are sitting

around a table discussing business in private,” Crandall said. “I

especially don’t think he should carry it to the dais and put it on the

counter.”Crandall, who is running for reelection next month along with

Conlosh, added that his line of work required him to carry a concealed

weapon in the past and that he understands Conlosh is within his legal

right to do so.

“He can carry the weapon 24-7 by law,” Crandall said. “But what I’m

questioning is his judgment. There are times when it is inappropriate to

be carrying a concealed weapon. There is no need for a gun in a council

meeting.”

Conlosh said there is nothing to be concerned about.

“The only thing people need to worry about are the bad guys,” he said,

“not the police.”