Thursday, October 31, 2019

A Letter to Hollister




Friends,

My time as Chief of Police for the City of Hollister has come to a close. I have advised the City Manager my last day at Hollister Police Department in uniform will be around the week of December 30, 2019.

I began my career in 1990 in the State Center Peace Officers Academy in Fresno, CA. We were a bunch of young, naive kids from all over the Central Valley. We learned the law, we learned defensive tactics and we learned about the human condition as it related to criminal justice. Some of us never got jobs in law enforcement, many of us did. A few of us are still working in our chosen careers.

Early on I was sworn in at Los Banos Police Department. I worked there for about 10 years. It was a great department and a great community to work in. So many people were kind to me. So many friends gained from my experience in that community.

Los Banos PD gave me opportunities to train new police officers, supervise them as a sergeant, be a detective, community engagement/community policing, grant writing, gang/street crimes investigations and many other opportunities. I cannot thank Los Banos PD/City of Los Banos, its employees and the community as a whole for the opportunity to serve. Thank you Chief St Marie, Chief Hughes and Commander Knapp. Special shout out to my original recruiter, Sgt Nathan Bettencourt.

In 2000 I lateraled over to Redwood City Police Department. Again a great police department and community to work in. Many of my fellow employees at RCPD are still my friends today. This agency really taught me the true value of community policing, public service and really the concept of a full-service police department. Very proud of my time there and I always smile when I think about having 10-8c (breakfast) and Code 7(lunch/meal) with my shift mates. Those folks can eat.

In 2003 I lateraled to Hollister Police Department. I was hired by interim Chief Larry Todd. Chief Todd talked (in my job offer meeting) about how the next Chief (Chief Miller) would probably not ever promote me or give me a special assignment because I had not finished my degree yet. That stung a little if I am being honest. However, I used it as motivation and went back to college and got my degree. I was promoted to Patrol Sergeant a few years later. I was so blessed to have great patrol teams, we handled pretty much everything ourselves, rarely calling out detectives (which was a feat back then).

I was promoted to Captain by Chief Miller in 2009. I was assigned the budget and the administrative division. In 2011 Chief Miller informed us of his intent to retire in April of 2012. Then City Manager Clint Quilter named me Acting Chief of Police, a position I would share that year with my friend and colleague Captain Reynoso.

I was sworn in as Chief of Police for the City of Hollister, July 2, 2013. The very first person to congratulate me was Captain Reynoso.

We had our first rally in five years, two days later.

During my time as Chief we have been lucky to of hired many officers and employees. We have promoted many as well. We have had some great years. I have been blessed with an outstanding staff in all bureaus.

Citizen volunteers helped me start Hollister Gives Back in 2013. We wrote over 30,000 Christmas cards to our deployed and injured military members through Hollister Gives Back. Hollister Gives Back later became Hollister Police Foundation, a charitable organization.

Hollister Police Department was awarded with National and State of California Awards for Traffic Enforcement, Technology and was named National Police Department of the Year in 2014.

We have been successful in obtaining traffic, school resource officer and equipment grants during my tenure.

We have never been over budget.

Crime has steadily dropped almost 30%, although overall activity and calls for service have increased by almost 50%.

Our partnership with Hollister School District and San Benito High School have brought three more police officers to our region.

San Benito County PAL / Hollister Recreation Jr Giants has served over 2000 kids with free baseball during this time. 


We started working with the great organization SNIP last year through our animal shelter.

I was afforded the true honor to attend the FBI National Academy, session 271. Met now, many lifelong friends.

Many other projects, programs and engagements over the years.

I mention all these things because it has never been about the Chief, it's always been about our staff and our collective accomplishments in the City of Hollister, our community partners and all of you out there that support us.

I leave Hollister Police Department in the very capable hands of Captain Carlos Reynoso, Lt Eric Olson and Lt Dan Winn. Hollister PD has a tremendous staff of professionals. I have prayed for them daily and will continue too. Everyone contributes to the success of Hollister Police Department.

Thank you to the Hollister City Council for an almost always unanimous support for our projects, ideas, staff and simple asks. It helps to have engaged leaders. and I appreciate the hard work.

I have been really blessed to work with some of the best executives in the business in the City of Hollister. I have had great partnerships with the county and courts. 

I have benefited from excellent regional partnerships with law enforcement agencies in the region. Amazing relationships for with my fellow Chiefs in CalChiefs and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. 

I had great bosses in Clint Quilter and then later Bill Avera. Thank you Clint for believing in me. Thank you Bill for your unwavering support of me, our team and this city. 

I truly thank you all for your support, your encouragement and your friendship. I will have more words and more thanks in the coming days.

As always, be nice to each other, I’ll be seeking new adventures because (as Frank Herbert wrote) "A person needs new experiences. They jar something deep inside, allowing you to grow. Without them, it sleeps- seldom to awaken. The sleeper must awaken…."


Chief

12 comments:

  1. Thanks Chief. Good luck in your next adventure.

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  2. You have led us all to be better citizens. thank you for your leadership. All the best in your new adventures. Good luck, God bless.

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  3. God bless you. Thank you for your service.

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  4. Thank you so much for your service to our community. I feel that you have really helped open up communication within our community and law enforcement.

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  5. Sad to see you leave. Hollister has been a better place, but happy you feel comfortable enough to move on. Thank you for your service and good luck in your next adventure and God Bless You!

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  6. Best wishes in your next adventure. As much as I respect Carlos, I will miss you. Thank you for all you have done for our community.

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  7. Thank you for your service, commitment, contributions, transparency, integrity and friendship to your department and to the city of Hollister. Go make the next chapter more amazing!

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  8. Thank you for all you have done for Hollister; for being approachable by newcomers such as ourselves. We enjoyed living in a community run by a caring Police Chief. Blessings to you on your next adventure and prayers for your family as you embark on that journey. You will be an asset wherever you go.

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  9. Thank You Dave (and family & staff, cause you know that where all the backup is!). Your service to our town has been tremendous. And I really can't think of adequate words to let you know what it means to me as a lifelong resident, that you did this. Bless you on your journey, whichever way it leads you. And know you have made such a large piece of Hollister/California, what it has always been (a great place of friends, family and loving community!) a sustainable, vibrant home! Much love and gratitude, Anne Casillas

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  10. Hollister was so blessed to have you as Chief! Best future ahead for you. (I remember when you achieved that degree. Sandra Lee @UI&U)

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  11. Thank you Chief! You have been the best for this city...we have all been so lucky!! You helped when my family first moved here in 2008 and I thank you for that. Then I feel the need to thank you for all you have done to make this city a fun, special and safe city to raise my daughter in. I have enjoyed every minute since we moved here!! I wish you the best in your future endeavors!!!!

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  12. So grateful for the support you gave the Homeless Coalition of San Benito County. You are THE BEST kind of public servant. Thanks Chief. Time to come up with a new title. 🤠

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