San Jose Launches Search For New Police Chief
SAN JOSE (KCBS) – The city of San Jose is launching a nationwide search for a new police chief following the sudden and surprising retirement announcement of current top cop Chris Moore.
San Jose Police Officers' Association President Jim Unland said the next chief will take over a department where morale is at an all-time low because of budget cuts.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
"Staffing is going to continue to be a problem. We're still having officers leave, still resigning, going to Redwood City, going to the DA's office," said Unland. "Even these new hires, I don't know how long they're going to stay."
65 police officers in San Jose were laid off last year. San Jose City Manager Debra Figone said despite the department's troubles, she has no doubt that they'll be able to attract great candidates.
"Regardless of the difficult times we're going through, I do know that this will be a very attractive position for our next chief," she said. "I do believe we'll be able to conduct a successful recruitment."
Chief Moore's resignation comes as he's scheduled to give a crime report to a city council study session on Tuesday night.
The chief is expected to acknowledge that property crimes and violent crimes are up 23 percent in the first half of 2012, with 33 homicides so far this year.
He's also expected to talk about reduced staffing, which is seen by many as part of the reason the department has not been meeting its target of six minute response times for life-threatening calls.
Meanwhile, the police union was hold its own crime meeting in East San Jose, offering residents tips on how to protect their family and property.
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