SANTA MARIA - After the controversial shooting death of on-duty Santa Maria Police officer Albert Covarrubias Junior by a fellow officer in January, followed by a union vote of no confidence in his leadership by the Santa Maria Police Officers Association, Central Coast news asked Chief Macagni if he was ready to step down and call it a career after more than 30 years with the Santa Maria Police department.
"We're going to go through some more difficult times with some tough issues, but I'm not quite ready yet", Macagni said back in February, "I have the support of my boss and I'm trying to do the best I can with what I have."
Since that interview, there have been more deadly officer-involved shootings including the latest last Monday night on Preisker Lane.
Angry residents and community organizations have marched on City Hall calling for Macagni to step down.
"Absolutely, we've wanted this change for many years", says Mary Jacka, a local Latino citizen rights advocate, "we've seen lately its just gotten out of hand, the police department is untrained, we've had some incidents that are just ridiculous."
A team of auditors from the L. A. County Sheriff's Department is conducting an independent review of the Santa Maria Police Department's policies, practices and training procedures.
City Manager Rick Haydon says he met with Chief Macagni Wednesday afternoon and decided to place Macagni on administrative leave with pay.
Haydon says he cannot explain why he's put Macagni on leave, or for how long, because it's a confidential personnel matter and adds Macagni is protected by an even more stringent Police Bill of Rights regarding his employment.
Haydon says while Macagni is away on leave, Police Commander Craig Ritz will be in operational control of the police department.
