SB city management indicates it's a confidential personnel matter. In October 2016, SB city management indicated it had received a formal complaint but provided no details.

[Scroll down for further.]

Stilinovich left LBPD -- where he had devoted his entire 17 year police career -- to become Seal Beach's new police chief in late October 2012 (taking over from former LBPD Commander Keith Kilmer, who'd served as Seal Beach's interim chief.) Stilinovich was also President of the Board of Directors of the "Long Beach Management Association," a collective bargaining unit (union) that LB managers formed several years earlier. His most recent LBPD assignment was as Commander (for five years) of LBPD's Gang and Violent Crimes Division.

LBREPORT.com noted when Stilinovich left LBPD (although he didn't refer to it) that his departure came roughly a month after a September 2012 LB City Council vote that cut LBPD's budgeted staffing further after three previous years of cuts. In August 2012, LB Mayor Bob Foster recommended the complete elimination of LBPD's field anti-gang unit (20 officers + 2 sergeants); the Council ultimately funded up to half of the unit with "one time" funds for FY13 and has since let the unit vanish entirely without restoration to date.

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A Seal Beach October 2012 release on hiring Chief Stilinovich stated in pertinent part:

[Seal Beach Oct. 2012 release text]...[Commander Stilinovich's] assignments have also included Patrol South Division Commander and Training Division Commander.

"Joe has a proven track record of leadership in the areas the Council and I heard were most important to our community, our employees and our strategic partners," said City Manager Jill Ingram. "He has a wealth of experience and I am extremely confident he is capable of advancing the goals and objectives of the City’s stellar police department and the Seal Beach community." Mayor Michael Levitt also commented, stating, "I believe that we have found in Commander Stilinovich a chief of police that not only has the professional qualifications, but the personal attributes, demeanor, interests, and community spirit that will make him an excellent fit for this very important position in Seal Beach."

Commander Stilinovich has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a Master’s degree in Emergency Service Administration both from California State University, Long Beach. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, West Point Leadership Program, Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, and received the California Peace Officers Association Professional Achievement Award.

"I am very honored and humbled to have been selected by City Manager Ingram to serve as the chief of police for the Seal Beach Police Department. Policing is a people business and Seal Beach is known for being a close knit, supportive community. I am excited to work with the community and entire City family. The Seal Beach Police Department is a strong, well respected organization. My goal is to keep the Department moving forward while ensuring we are responsive, approachable and transparent to the community we serve."

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OC media report that over the past few months, SB residents have come to SB City Council meetings seeking "Chief Joe's" reinstatement.

Further as we learn it.

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