Cat City Fire Chief Under Outside Investigation

Outside Investigation Launched into Cathedral City Fire Chief

CATHEDRAL CITY — A third-party, outside investigation has been launched into complaints against Fire Chief Michael Contreras, City Manager Charlie McClendon confirmed Wednesday.

He declined to identify the investing agency and said it would cost a “few thousand” dollars. The full and true cost will not be known until the investigation is complete, he said.

McClendon said an outside investigation is “typical” when there are internal complaints against someone, like a fire chief. The city has “an obligation” to get to the truth while protecting the chief’s rights.

Meantime, McClendon said he has confidence in Contreras who has been on the job less than a year. He was named Chief of the Cathedral City Fire Department in October 2022,

Mayor Mark Carnevale said Wednesday that he also stands behind the Fire Chief.

McClendon said Contreras has changed some policies and anytime longstanding policies are changed, there is sure to be some disgruntlement. He’s working diligently to makes this the “best fire department” possible, McClendon said.

There have been allegedly 14 complaints filed against the chief, that claim he has created a hostile environment and allegedly retaliates against those who question him or his policies, according to the complaints.

A sampling of the complaints and the allegations are here: