BREAKING: MVPD Chief ousted, stripped of all law enforcement powers

MORENO VALLEY — In a stunning move that has shocked many area residents, recently elected new Sheriff of Riverside County Chad Bianco has not only removed Cpt. David Kurylowicz from his position as Moreno Valley Police Chief, but stripped him of all his peace officer powers. Word of Kurylowicz’ unexpected removal came on the very day Bianco was to be sworn in as Sheriff.

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According to a memorandum sent to sheriff’s employees assigned to Moreno Valley PD, Sheriff’s administrators explained in part, “Sheriff’s Department employee David Kurylowicz … has been placed on administrative leave and his peace officer powers have been suspended until further notice.”

The memorandum went on to explain, “He is no longer to be allowed on MVPD premises without prior approval of the Sheriff.”

Moreno Valley Police Chief, Cpt. David Kurylowicz has been removed from his position and stripped of all law enforcement powers. RSO photo

At the time of his removal, Kurylowicz had racked up more than 26 years of law enforcement experience with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Unconfirmed reports from various sources indicate he was the subject of an ongoing Internal Affairs investigation, but few verifiable facts about that investigation were available as of this report.

Following a tumultuous campaign, Bianco defeated outgoing incumbent Sheriff Stan Sniff and was voted in as the County’s 14th sheriff last November, ending Sniff’s 11 year tenure.

During Bianco’s campaign, Kurylowicz had strongly and vocally supported Sniff. He made news when he made public claims of discrimination against Bianco, saying the recently elected sheriff was biased against the LGBT community and had made derogatory comments against Kurylowicz, who is openly gay.

Bianco publicly denied the discrimination allegations.

Riverside County Sheriff’s employees were notified of Cpt. David Kurylowicz’ removal as MVPD Chief in a memorandum.

In a December interview with Desert Sun, Bianco had confirmed he intended to bring in a “mostly new team” and indicated many high-ranking officials and top-brass within the department would either be retiring, transferring, or be relieved of duty once he was sworn in.

“I’m considering any and every option of how to get the best leaders on my executive staff. Leadership ability and quality is a priority,” Bianco told Desert Sun. “I’m fairly confident of what the team is going to look like, but it’s not set in stone.”

Neither Bianco or Sheriff’s administrators have publicly commented about why Kurylowicz was removed from his position and stripped of his peace officer powers, leading many to wonder if animosity bred during the recent campaign had anything to do with Kurylowicz’ sudden and unexpected removal. Others cited the ongoing Internal Affairs investigation as a possible reason for the Captain’s removal.

Per the memorandum sent out to Sheriff’s employee’s, MVPD Lt. David Lelevier “will assume the duties and responsibilities of Acting Commander of the Moreno Valley Station until further notice.”

Bianco is scheduled to be sworn in later today, at 4 p.m., on the steps of the Historic Courthouse in Riverside.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.

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