San Jose Police Chief Announces Retirement
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) - Less than two years after becoming San Jose's top cop, Police Chief Chris Moore announced Monday that he will retire in early 2013.
Moore took over as acting chief in October of 2010 upon the retirement of Rob Davis. He served 27 years in the department and 30 years in law enforcement.
"Effective January 31st of next year, I will be retiring as chief of the San Jose Police Department," Moore said Monday afternoon.
The announcement came as a surprise to City Manager Debra Figone, who hired Moore as police chief. "This is a really bittersweet moment for me. I knew that the chief was contemplating retirement awhile back. I had wishful thinking that it wouldn't happen this soon, " she said.
During the news conference, Moore said having more time with family was the reason for stepping down and downplayed ongoing turmoil at the department. But since he took office, Moore had do deal with officer layoffs, a shrinking budget and an escalating crime rate.
"We're in a tough spot. It's going to take us a couple of years…I'm not sure that a whole lot is going to happen. In the meantime it's going to be very, very difficult and I get that. But for me and my family, 30 years is the right time," Moore said.
In his short tenure, Moore had to lay off 65 officers and watch as 54 others went to other departments.
"I think it's making it very clear to the citizens of San Jose that this department is hemorrhaging," said Jim Unland of the San Jose Police Officers' Association
The police union was at odds with the chief for not standing up stronger against cuts from City Hall.
"I think he said hey, nothing's going to change. I've done all I can do here and it's time for me to move on," Unland said.
Independent police auditor LaDoris Cordell said Moore's departure would be a big loss for police oversight and cooperation. "We had a police chief who got it, who understood that we are not here to tear down the police department," Cordell said.
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