BREAKING NEWS

Embattled Newport Beach Police Chief John Klein has announced that he would step down, officials said Tuesday.

The surprising announcement about Klein, who has been assailed by union leaders in recent weeks for the way he was promoted, was made at a City Council meeting. He will leave the top post later this month.

The city’s Civil Service Board is investigating the way the city promotes its officers after it has come to light that City Manager Home Bludau did not follow the correct procedure when promoting him to top cop two years ago. Bludau has said he thought he followed the right protocol and wanted to promote from within because he felt that was best for morale.

But some union leaders have argued that Klein beat out better-qualified candidates and that he was promoted because he was part of a good-old-boy network.