A quartet of law enforcement organizations on Monday threw their support behind veteran prosecutor Robert Hickey in his bid for the San Diego City Attorney’s office.
Hickey has already been endorsed by Mayor Kevin Faulconer to succeed Jan Goldsmith, who cannot run for a third term in the office. Faulconer appeared at the press conference Monday to reiterate his support.
“Robert Hickey is a dedicated public servant who devoted his life to making our communities safer places, which is why he has my support as well as the support of these law enforcement organizations,” Faulconer said.
The new endorsements came from the San Diego Police Officers Association, Deputy Sheriffs Association of San Diego County, the San Diego District Attorney Investigators Association and the San Diego County Probation Officer’s Association.
“Over half of city attorney’s staff work on criminal issues and interface with San Diego Police officers on a daily basis. It is critical that our next city attorney be qualified to oversee the over 30,000 criminal complaints filed each year by the office. Our members have been working with Robert Hickey for years to put violent criminals behind bars, and we know that he is the only candidate ready for this responsibility on Day 1 in office,” said Brian Marvel, president of the Police Officers Association.
“Robert Hickey is a talented attorney who has handled some of the most complex and important cases in San Diego history. He’ll make a great city attorney,” said Gary Moore, president of the Deputy Sheriffs Association.
“I have worked side by side with Robert Hickey to protect communities like Southeast San Diego. He is talented and tireless and, more than anything, he cares,” said Matthew O’Deane, president of the District Attorney Investigators.
“As communities across San Diego grapple with the effects of Prop 47, it is more important than ever that the City Attorney be experienced and qualified in criminal prosecution. The public can trust Robert Hickey as city attorney to protect our safety during these challenging times,” said Ernie Susi, president of the Probation Officers Association.
Hickey will face Port Commissioner Rafael Castellanos and fellow lawyers Gil Cabrera and Mara Elliott in the 2016 election.
Castellanos on Monday was endorsed by the National Latino Peace Officers Association.
“We proudly endorse Rafael Castellanos for San Diego city attorney in the June 2016 election. Like the NLPOA, Rafael is a person who is a bridge builder and someone who is immersed in community service and working to enhance all people’s quality of life. He is inclusive and someone who will work for fairness and equality for all of San Diego and will be a real partner with law enforcement. We share his commitment of inclusion and proudly and enthusiastically support him,” said advocacy chair Alan Alvarez.
