GALVESTON — A FEMA spokesperson said Monday she could not yet comment about whether the detention of a senior agency official by Galveston police would jeopardize the city’s relationship with the federal government.

During a melee that started about 1 a.m. Sunday at Club H2O, a part of the San Luis Hotel, Galveston police officers detained Jaime Forero, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s head representative in Galveston County. Officers were at the bar attempting to subdue several patrons.

Forero got involved in the disturbance when he approached a ranking officer after witnessing what he reportedly described as several incidents of police brutality. Police charged Forero with failure to obey an officer, a misdemeanor.

Debbie Wing, an agency spokesperson, said she could not yet comment about whether Forero’s detention would jeopardize the relationship between the city and the federal agency.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the results of the formal inquiry,” she said. “We’ll comment further once that’s completed.”

When asked about an hour later whether the incident would affect individuals’ ability to get aid from the agency, Wing said the federal government had a great relationship with the state and the city. Officials expected that good relationship to continue, she said.

The city is depending on the federal government to cover millions of dollars in Hurricane Ike-related expenses. FEMA is providing funds for everything from police overtime to the Red Cross shelter.

The agency also is providing temporary housing assistance for island residents.

Police Chief Charles Wiley on Monday launched an investigation into the incident at H2O, during which Forero and 10 others, including Houston Astros pitcher Brandon Backe, were charged.

Wing described Forero as an employee in good standing with the agency. During his time in Galveston, he served with distinction, she said.

But Forero is no longer on the island. On Monday, he was working out of the agency’s regional command center in Austin, and another federal agent had assumed his duties in Galveston.

Although she said she knew little about the incident, Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas said she believed the federal agency would continue to work very hard on the city’s behalf.

“I have no reason to think that there will be a change,” she said. “I’m confident the support we’ve gotten from FEMA from the beginning will continue.”

City Manager Steve LeBlanc agreed, saying so far, every interaction with the agency had been positive.

“I don’t see where that will change, just because there is a change in personnel,” he said.

LeBlanc learned about the bar fight from Forero, who called him just before he was detained. LeBlanc said he called the police chief as soon as he got off the phone with Forero, not knowing the federal agent was about to be detained.

“It’s really unfortunate it all happened like that,” LeBlanc said. “But it is what it is. We’ll deal with it the best way we can.”