Police chief search on hold

GLENDALE — City executives, hamstrung by a city election and grim budget season, expect the arduous process of picking a successor for Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams to begin in a few weeks, despite his plans to retire in roughly two months.

Since Adams announced his retirement on April 8, city officials have yet to discuss plans to approve an interim chief or begin searching for his replacement because they have been focused on the city budget, Human Resources Director Matt Doyle said.

“It’s almost certain someone will be needed to take over as interim police chief,” he said.

In announcing his retirement, Adams, 58, said his salary would free up $180,000 to save some officer positions from possibly being cut due to this year’s budget crisis.

He recommended to City Manager Jim Starbird that Assistant Police Chief Ron DePompa take over as interim chief for at least a year to save money.

Doyle said city executives will likely start talking about filling Adams’ position in a few weeks.

The city has two main options on how to deal with Adams’ vacancy. It can approve DePompa as the interim chief, or conduct a search to fill the chief’s spot and begin recruiting.

If the city decides to look outside the Police Department to fill the chief’s position, Doyle said “it will take several months to identify an effective candidate.”

The city’s Civil Service Commission is given the task of approving any recruitment bulletin for an open position. They don’t hire or fire city employees, Commissioner John Gantus said.

The commission has not received information from city officials on recruitment efforts for the chief’s position, he said.

The Police Department also hasn’t started changing any police positions or moving any police officials into Adams’ role, Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

But Adams is confident that DePompa and the four police captains — Ray Edey, Kirk Palmer, Lief Nicolaisen and Mike Rock — “can effectively run the department during any transition period,” Lorenz said.

He plans to work every day up to his retirement, he added.

Adams has served as the department’s top cop for nearly seven of his 37 years in law enforcement.

Before he joined the department, he held top positions at the Ventura Police Department, where he was assistant chief, and the Simi Valley Police Department, where he was chief for more than seven years.

Adams said his retirement is a much-needed break, but he has not ruled out taking on challenges at other departments.

He said he is looking forward to taking a trip to the Mediterranean with his wife, Kathleen, after retiring.

 VERONICA ROCHA covers public safety and the courts. She may be reached at (818) 637-3232 or by e-mail at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.