Menifee Police Chief Chris Karrer has left his position, effective immediately, following the City’s settlement with two police officers who had been on paid administrative leave during internal investigations, Menifee 24/7 has learned.
According to a press release issued this morning by the City of Menifee, Karrer is retiring, with no explanation. However, a high-placed source said Karrer is using a medical claim to keep his chief’s salary, even though he has not served as chief for the required three years to receive that pension.
The source told Menifee 24/7 that the City’s settlement with officers Rob Cultera and Lance Willison will “act like the investigations never happened,” allowing the officers to resign their positions and return to their previous jobs with other law enforcement agencies. Karrer had previously given the two termination notices, the source said, although results of the investigations were never announced.
“Armando agreed to make it go away,” the source said about City Manager Armando Villa’s decision regarding a settlement that basically tries to erase the investigations from the record. That allows Cultera and Willison to seek other employment in law enforcement. Had an investigation found them guilty of violations, they would not have been allowed to work in law enforcement again.
According to multiple sources, Willison was placed on leave in April 2025 after being accused of lying to another officer and interfering with arrests in a case in which he was assisting. When Willison cited department policy in defending himself to a superior, the department placed him on paid leave and launched an internal investigation.
Cultera was placed on leave in January 2025 after he released results of an employee survey he conducted as part of a project for his PhD degree. Results of the survey were reportedly so negative and accusatory of leadership that Cultera was given a “cease and desist” letter by City Attorney Jeff Melching, prohibiting him from commenting on the situation.
Cultera and Willison are two of at least six officers who have been placed on paid administrative leave during internal investigations in the last year. Another officer currently on unpaid leave is Juan Pesina, who faces eight counts of sexual assault — including rape, sodomy, and oral copulation – all allegedly while on duty with Menifee PD.
Villa had no comment when contacted by Menifee 24/7 today. City officials have repeatedly refused to comment on the allegations by multiple sources of misconduct by PD leadership, and multiple requests by Menifee 24/7 for confirmation and for a copy of the survey have been denied.
Karrer was one of Menifee PD’s first hires as a captain in 2020. He was named interim police chief in December 2022 and was named police chief in September 2023 – shortly after being on medical leave for three months because of a knee injury suffered while off duty.
According to the primary source for this news article, Karrer is using medical retirement as a way to escape the controversy.
“He’s throwing his hands up and leaving,” the source said. “He hasn’t done his three years as chief, so if he simply resigns, his retirement reverts back to his captain’s salary – quite a difference. The City will claim no liability because his injury occurred off-duty, but he’ll get an attorney to fight it and the City will have to accept whatever is decided.”
Villa named Captain Dave Gutierrez acting police chief. PD employees were informed of the change in a meeting today. Gutierrez has also been with the department since its inception in July 2020.
“We are thankful for Chief Karrer’s contributions to the Menifee community and wish him all the best in his retirement,” Villa said in a press release. “Public safety remains a top priority for our City Council. During this transition, we are grateful for Captain Gutierrez’ leadership and will ensure that the department has the support and resources it needs for its continued success as we evaluate our next steps.”
This is not the only recent development in the ongoing controversy, which Menifee 24/7 has exclusively reported on for over a year. According to court records, two alleged victims of Pesina have filed lawsuits against Pesina and the City of Menifee.
Christina Whitton accuses Pesina of unlawful search and seizure, violation of bodily integrity, and negligence. “Jane Doe” accuses Pesina of sexual battery, infliction of intentional distress, false imprisonment, violation of civil rights, and negligence.
Jane Doe’s lawsuit also alleges “negligent hiring, training and supervision” of Pesina, which one source says could be related to the fact that Pesina was previously placed on administrative leave because of sexual assault allegations but was cleared by Menifee PD leadership and allowed to return to work, at which time additional alleged sexual assaults occurred.
Neither Karrer nor Villa would address that allegation when previously questioned by Menifee 24/7.
“There are now five victims,” the source said. “Had the first investigation been done correctly, Pesina never would’ve been brought back. Now there are additional victims.
“All this stuff is coming down, and now Armando can’t put Karrer on leave or anything. You can’t do anything because he’s on Family Medical Leave.”
Menifee 24/7 will continue to submit public records requests and follow the court cases against Pesina and the City of Menifee.
