LOS ANGELES — Mayor Karen Bass made the decision to remove the city's fire chief, Kristin Crowley, on Friday, following a series of events related to the recent devastating wildfires that engulfed the city last month.
Mayor Bass cited concerns about the management of the fire department under Chief Crowley's leadership, specifically pointing out that 1,000 firefighters who could have been on duty when the fires started were sent home instead. Additionally, Mayor Bass highlighted Chief Crowley's refusal to conduct an after-action report on the fires, leading to her dismissal. The Mayor emphasized the importance of bringing in new leadership to ensure the city's safety.
Escalating Tensions
Tensions between Mayor Bass and Chief Crowley had been escalating in the days leading up to the decision. Mayor Bass criticized Chief Crowley for allegedly failing to warn her about the severity of the fires before Bass departed on a diplomatic mission to Ghana. This absence during a critical time drew criticism, putting Mayor Bass in a defensive position.
Upon her return, Mayor Bass and Chief Crowley clashed publicly over the department's funding issues. Chief Crowley raised concerns about budget cuts impacting the department's firefighting capabilities. This public disagreement led to a closed-door meeting between the two, sparking rumors of Crowley's potential removal. However, they later appeared to reconcile their differences.
Controversy and Criticism
Chief Crowley, appointed by Mayor Bass' predecessor, faced additional scrutiny from conservatives who questioned her qualifications for the role. Some critics suggested her appointment was influenced by diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts rather than merit.
In response to Mayor Bass' decision, Los Angeles developer Rick Caruso, a potential mayoral candidate, praised Chief Crowley for speaking out against budget cuts and criticized the Mayor for dismissing her. Caruso commended Crowley for her honesty and courage in addressing the department's challenges.
In Chief Crowley's place, Mayor Bass appointed interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva, a veteran of the department with over 40 years of service, who had retired seven months prior.