Below is the text of a release issued by the Garcia campaign. Its headline and lead sentence inserted an inaccuracy; the Long Beach Police Officers Ass'n doesn't make endorsements; the LBPOA's Political Action Committee does and did so here; details on LBPOA PAC's endorsement process in coverage below.]

[Begin Garcia campaign release] [headline] VICE MAYOR GARCIA ENDORSED BY LONG BEACH POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

The Long Beach Police Officers Association, (POA) has endorsed Vice Mayor Robert Garcia for Mayor of Long Beach.

"Vice Mayor Robert Garcia has a strong record of supporting public safety and the men and women of the Police Department," said POA President Steve James. "As Chair of the Public Safety Committee, Robert has worked with us to achieve the lowest crime rate in 41 years. He knows Long Beach and will be a great Mayor."

The Long Beach POA joins a growing list of elected officials, organizations and community leaders who support Garcia.

"I'm honored to have the support of our rank and file police officers," said Garcia. "I look forward to working with them to make Long Beach an even safer city."

Garcia has been involved with restarting the Long Beach Police Academy, and proposing funding for new police car technology.

Garcia is also endorsed by Congressmembers Alan Lowenthal, Janice Hahn and Linda Sanchez; State Senate pro Tem Darrell Steinberg; State Senator Ricardo Lara; Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster; Long Beach Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal; Long Beach School Board President John McGinnis; and hundreds of community members...

LBPOA President Lieutenant Steve James tells LBREPORT.com that the LBPOA PAC endorsement was decided in a process consistent with previous election cycles. In that process, the LBPOA PAC [jointly with LB Firefighters Ass'n PAC reps] conduct candidate interviews [which we are aware are recorded.] The interviews for this election cycle were conducted prior to the outcome of the April 8 elections.

Lt. James said the LBPOA PAC endorsement decision was is made by a vote of the LBPOA Political Action Committee, which he said is comprised primarily of the LBPOA's Board of Directors but is also open to any rank and file officer(s) who may choose to participate [we don't have a number or vote tally.]

Asked by LBREPORT.com if LBPOA's PAC would release a copy of the recording of Garcia's endorsement interview [which would show the questions asked as well as answers given], Lt. James respectfully declined. LBREPORT.com made the same request in the 2009 special winnter-take-all election in which Garcia sought Counciul office in a multi-candidate field; Lt. James told us at that time that he would never release the 2009 interview [and has remained true to his word.]

Developing with further to follow on LBREPORT.com.