PASADENA, Texas - Pasadena Mayor Thomas Schoenbein is defending the city's police leadership as five department lieutenants push back against what their attorney says are mischaracterizations of a lawsuit challenging the appointment of Assistant Police Chief James Holt.

In a statement, Schoenbein said Interim Police Chief Raul Granados and the department's assistant chiefs have his "full confidence and support." "As Mayor of the City of Pasadena, I want to make one thing abundantly clear; Interim Police Chief Raul Granados and the Assistant Police Chiefs have my full confidence and support," Schoenbein said.

The mayor's statement comes after two Pasadena City Council members publicly criticized the department's leadership.