The Ox Jo is
Oxnard's Only
Independent
News Source
e:your-comments....
oxnardjo@gte.net
The official Oxnard News Release
CHIEF ART LOPEZ ANNOUNCES HIS
RETIREMENT
FROM THE OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT
“Hate to see you go. We will miss you.” were City Manager,
Edmund F. Sotelo’s words to Oxnard Police
Chief Art Lopez in reaction to the Chief’s retirement announcement at
last Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
The Chief’s departure is seen as a great loss to the City. Under Lopez's
leadership, the police department enjoyed many significant
accomplishments. During his six years as chief, Oxnard’s crime rate
dropped by more than 25% and the department hired a significant number
of minorities and women.
The Oxnard Police Department has become a model for the county with the
Mobile Field Force and Arrest and Control training along with its
development of a supervisor's tactical guide and citywide tactical
standing plans which were implemented under Chief Lopez’ tenure.
Chief Lopez placed great emphasis on working with the youth of Oxnard.
He dedicated personnel and resources to the gang violence suppression
program, putting officers in schools, participating in the creation of a
youth academy for high school age kids and providing a real focus on
prevention, intervention and enforcement.
Under Lopez’ leadership, the Police Department has taken Community
Policing to the next level by genuinely embracing our community and
showing that they care. To this end the Chief's Community Council, the
Clergy Council and the Community Police Advisory Boards were instituted
at his direction.
The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), a program designed to train police
personnel on the best way to deal with the mentally ill and individuals
on crisis was initiated during the Chief’s six years in office.
Through his efforts to institute activities such as the Employee
Recognition Luncheon, and the Swearing in Ceremony and celebrating a
Memorial Ceremony, customs that build a sense of esprit-de-corps and
pride in the organization have had a positive impact in the rank and
file of the Police Department.
Chief Lopez expressed pride for having a significant role in the
development and implementation of the civil gang injunction, which was
issued on a preliminary basis in June 2004. Gang related crime dropped
significantly as a result of the injunction being in place. Lopez leaves
a safer City of Oxnard.
After 28 years with the Los Angeles Police Department, Chief Lopez left
his position of Deputy Chief at LAPD to become the Chief of Police with
Oxnard’s Police Department.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Oxnard and feel we made great
strides in our efforts to bring safety and security to our residents"
said the Chief.
Lopez, 54, has served as the Chief of Police since November 1998 and
will remain in his post until February 4, 2005. After that he and his
wife Betty will be dividing their time between their homes in Oxnard and
Northridge. The Chief plans to do some work in the private sector upon
his retirement.
After February 4, 2005, City Manager, Edmund F. Sotelo,
will appoint Assistant Police Chief John Crombach as interim Chief of
Police.
Christina Aerenlund, Public Information Officer
300 West Third Street, Fourth Floor ? Oxnard, California 93030
(805) 385-7593 Christina.Aerenlund@ci.oxnard.ca.us
|
CONTACT: Edmund F. Sotelo City Manager (805) 385-7430
|
Date: 13/01/2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
This Space Left Intentionally Blank
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|
|
|
|
Oxnard Journal
PO Box 59
Oxnard, Calif. 93032
-or-
Oxnard Ad Registry
PO Box 1960
Port Hueneme, CA 93044
- 30 -