As Chula Vista grapples with allegations from its police chief that there’s an attempt to oust her, several people — including many pastors — showed up at the City Council meeting Tuesday evening to show their support for her. Many praised the leadership of Chief Roxana Kennedy and implored th e council to keep her in place. Garry Sablan, co-chair of the city’s Community Advisory Committee, said he has worked with Kennedy over several years and that he has “come to know her as a leader who gets things done, a leader who values diversity and community input.” “There is truly a heart behind her badge,” Sablan said. News of a potential conflict between the chief and the city came to light following a Jan. 29 social media post from a local news organization indicating the chief was on administrative leave and would not return. Kennedy responded that she was on medical leave and planned to return. Last Friday, an attorney for the chief sent the city a letter asking it to preserve all evidence regarding “allegations of improper discipline, retaliation, discrimination and/or a hostile work environment.” The letter also alleges “adverse actions against (Kennedy) as subterfuge for the desire of a majority of the City Council to force the Chief into an early retirement and replace her with a Latino.” On Monday, her attorney, Cory Briggs, alleged to the Union-Tribune that an incident at a police union holiday party is apparently being used as pretext against Kennedy. The city issued a statement Monday that it is “deeply concerned by these accusations” and that it “categorically rejects all allegations” contained in Briggs’ letter. The city also said the suggestion of a conspiracy to replace Kennedy “is entirely false.” On Tuesday, about 17 people spoke in support of the chief during the portion of the hearing for members of the public to address concerns about items not on the agenda. None of the City Council members commented on the matter during the meeting. On Wednesday, when asked for comment, Councilmember Cesar Fernandez said he is “disappointed because I believed the Chief and I had a relationship built on trust and professionalism. To see these accusations framed in a way that appears rooted in ethnicity rather than facts is deeply concerning and a low point in an otherwise strong career.” Fernandez also said there was “nothing improper” about the city manager addressing what he said was an error in judgment at the union party. “That’s basic accountability. Our city deserves leadership grounded in transparency and facts, not division,” he said. Other council members did not provide comment. Over the last several days, word of the conflict spread, prompting Tuesday’s show of support. “I’m very concerned about what I’ve heard and seen and read, and I just want to speak on her behalf,” said Bishop Art Hodges of South Bay Pentecostal Church. “She is a uniter. She is not a divider.” Several speakers highlighted advances in the department during her tenure, including becoming the first department in the nation with permission to use a drone as a first responder. Longtime Chula Vista resident Norma Cazares also spoke her support and called the situation “an unnecessary, difficult time” in Kennedy’s tenure. “If the rumors have any truth that there is an effort to push her out by the city management and or certain members of the council, it would truly be a disgrace,” Cazares said, “and expect major fallout from the community and other entities.” A few speakers urged the city to address the matter privately, not publicly. Many praised Kennedy’s leadership. “We’re removing a pillar here, if we’re not careful,” said Pastor Rocky Martinez of Life Christian Center. Kennedy has been with the department for more than 33 years. Tapped as its chief in December 2016, she is the region’s longest-tenured police chief. ...read more read less