Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/27/2010 08:04:56 PM PDT

RIALTO – The sex scandal that has rocked the Police Department and attracted widespread attention has not shaken officials’ faith in rank-and-file officers or Chief Mark Kling, based on remarks they made at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

“My confidence in Mark is high,” said City Administrator Henry Garcia. “This is a small step backward.”

Garcia, on the recommendation of a seven-member interview committee, brought Kling in four years ago to overhaul a department that was on the brink of extinction after years of scandal that included allegations of racism, favoritism and police brutality.

The police force now faces allegations from Nancy Holtgreve, who serves drinks at the Spearmint Rhino strip club on Riverside Avenue.

Holtgreve says she and officer James Dobbs had sex three times last year at the Rialto Police Benefit Association’s union hall.

She alleges that she was off work and Dobbs was still on duty when they engaged in sex there.

Holtgreve, who says she has an infant son with Dobbs, has said she brought the issue to the department in May when Dobbs became abusive over child support issues.

Dobbs did not want his relationship with Holtgreve to wreck a custody battle with his ex-wife, or a relationship with another employee in the department, Holtgreve has said.

Holtgreve has retained an attorney has declined further media interviews.

Dobbs has not returned phone calls seeking comment.

Kling launched an internal investigation that led to six officers potentially involved with women from the strip club.

Four of the officers have been placed on paid administrative leave. Kling won’t release the names of the officers on leave, citing the ongoing investigation.

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