SAFEST BIG CITY HAS NEW TOP COP.Byline: Rachel Uranga Staff Writer SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. - Veteran cop Mark Layhew took the helm of the police department of one of America's safest cities during a brief ceremony Thursday. The 28-year employee of the Simi Valley Police Department The Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD) is the police department of the city of Simi Valley, California. The department currently has over 120 sworn officers, and more than 65 support personnel[1]. The department has a patrol area that covers over 39 square miles. rolled out a list of goals and pledged to maintain the city's coveted cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. status as the nation's safest large city. ``This is a wonderful city and great Police Department,'' he told the crowd gathered at police headquarters. ``My door is always open.'' Former Chief Randy Adams, who left the Simi Valley job to head Glendale's force, called his successor an accomplished taskmaster task·mas·ter n. 1. One who imposes tasks, especially burdensome or laborious ones. 2. A source of burden or responsibility: The profession of medicine is a stern taskmaster. who is flexible and able to balance priorities. Others among the city and county officials in the crowd hailed him as a homegrown leader who understands the intricacies of the department. Most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially , Layhew has gained the trust of both the city administration and the police rank and file, said Mike Sedell, the city manager and the one charged with replacing Adams. Choosing a chief from among the ranks ``sends a strong message (the department) has come of age,'' Layhew said just before his wife, Holly, pinned the chief's badge over his heart. Layhew has held nearly every post in the department. His new one, he said, will be the most challenging as he deals with a leadership transition. Over the next five years, 72 percent of the department's top brass will become eligible for retirement. ``It will require a lot of mentoring and identifying,'' Layhew said, about choosing successors. Like his predecessors, Layhew plans to look within the agency to fill most of the top positions. Meanwhile, the department will launch an external recruitment campaign to attract candidates to fill the lower rungs of the agency. The new effort comes as the state grapples with a shortfall of nearly $35 billion - a crisis that could gouge gouge (gouj) a hollow chisel for cutting and removing bone. gouge n. A strong curved chisel used in bone surgery. gouge a hollow chisel for cutting and removing bone. revenues that cities spend for law enforcement agencies A law enforcement agency (LEA) is a term used to describe any agency which enforces the law. This may be a local or state police, federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). . The 50-year-old Layhew said he would respond by looking at programs more creatively and reaching out to expand already strong community ties. Most important, he said, is maintaining the city's rank as the nation's safest with population of more than 100,000. ``I'm a little nervous and anxious,'' Layhew said. ``There's a lot of things I want to be able to develop.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Simi SIMI Sea Ice Mechanics Initiative SIMI Search for Intelligent Monkeys on the Internet SIMI Students Islamic Movement in India SIMI Society of Irish Motor Industry SIMI Smallholder Irrigation Markets Initiative Valley's new police chief, Mark Layhew, is sworn in Thursday by the city manager, Mike Sedell. Layhew succeeds Randy Adams, who left to become chief in Glendale. Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer |
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