Calexico police chief, department at crossroads
CALEXICO — It’s been about 34 years now since interim police Chief Gonzalo “Chalo” Gerardo had first gotten his start with the Calexico Police Department, initially as a teenage Explorer.
Since then, Gerardo has had the opportunity to serve in a wide variety of positions, including as business liaison, investigator, patrol, investigative and administrative sergeant, as well as chairman of the homicide and major crimes taskforce for the county, to name a few.
“It’s been a good ride, and I’ve really enjoyed it,” Gerardo said. “But who knows how long it’s going to last.”
Gerardo’s uncertainty about his future reflects the uncertainty of the department itself, as city officials again reconsider the possibility of disbanding the Police Department and contracting its police services with the county Sheriff’s Office.
Setting goals and priorities Such uncertainty does not overly detract Gerardo from his immediate tasks, which is to continue to provide police services to the public, and oversee a department consisting of 34 total full-time employees, including its 21 sworn officers, as well as 25 to 30 temporary employees, including traffic control officers and clerks.
Another top concern is working with City Manager David Dale to identify the Police Department’s projected costs for the coming years, as well as any possible savings.
The joint effort is expected to help determine whether a feasible plan can be identified to keep the department operational.
“That would be the best thing I’ve ever done in my career,” said Gerardo, who also counts successful homicide investigations among his most rewarding experiences. “I think that would be the most satisfaction that I’ll ever get, if I can save the department.”
To do so, Gerardo must find a way to keep departmental costs down while simultaneously allowing for the additional hiring of both sworn and civilian personnel.
One way to accomplish such a goal is by limiting expenditures associated with salary, benefits and unfunded liabilities.
The department’s chief and two lieutenants make it anything but topheavy, yet Gerardo acknowledged that expenses associated with senior level positions are about twice as much as those of new hires.
“If I retire as a lieutenant I could probably hire two new officers and a dispatcher,” he said.
As interim chief, Gerardo, a lieutenant by rank, has also chosen to leave his currently vacated lieutenant’s position empty as a cost-saving measure.
In the event the city chooses to outsource its police services, Gerardo said he would then work toward ensuring a smooth transition and attempting to find employment for the department’s personnel.
Such an effort would involve reaching out to other law enforcement agencies on behalf of his employees as well as providing recommendations and reference letters.
“My No. 1 priority is to try to save the department, and my backup plan is to try to get everyone hired,” Gerardo said. “I don’t want to see anyone unemployed.”
Currently, the County Executive’s Office is in discussions with the city of Calexico regarding costs associated with the Sheriff’s Office providing policing services for the border city of about 40,000 residents.
Those projected costs will be weighed against the operational plan that Gerardo is currently working on, and presented to the City Council, which ultimately will decide the department’s fate, he said.
“That’s a big decision,” Gerardo said. “I wouldn’t like to be on the City Council to have to make such a tough decision.”
Thoughts of retirement and legacy Gerardo’s appointment as interim chief on March 23 following former Chief Reggie Gomez having been relieved of duties marks the second time Gerardo has served in such a capacity.
His first stint lasted four months, from February to June 2013, at a time when the department’s annual budget was about $7.3 million, quite a bit more than the department’s current nearly $5 million budget, Gerardo said.
Gerardo recalled that when he had originally been interviewed by department personnel during his initial hiring process, he had been asked about his ultimate goal as an officer.
While other new hires had expressed near-term goals, such as a desire to pass the probationary period, Gerardo had set his sights on something far more lofty and long-term.
“I looked straight at him and told him, ‘To be chief of police,’” Gerardo said. “And he started laughing at me.”
In his defense, Gerardo told the interviewer that he was being honest and felt no need to highlight any short-term goal whose outcome was certain.
Having accomplished his goal, and having already reached the minimum age of retirement for a peace officer, Gerardo said he has lately been entertaining thoughts of retirement.
Should the department be forced to disband, Gerardo’s retirement would essentially be guaranteed. Until the department’s fate is determined, Gerardo said he is not going anywhere.
His interest in law enforcement was piqued as a youngster, having grown up around uniformed personnel who, like his father, belonged to Calexico’s Active 20-30 Club.
That initial interest eventually waned, until a Calexico High classmate and lifelong friend, Leo Miramon, encouraged him to become part of the Explorers program.
The experience proved to be fateful, and eventually resulted in Gerardo’s
current 21 years with the department, despite having had opportunities to go elsewhere.
“One of the biggest things that keep me here is my roots,” he said. “Calexico will always be my home.”
Gerardo estimates he has trained about 20 officers during his time with the department, as well as picked up his fair share of critics who have regularly turned to social media to accuse
him of all manner of questionable acts.
Through it all, Gerardo said he has tried to lead by example, to honor his faith and — above all else — to be of service to his community and his subordinates. Those principles have held true despite whatever rank he has held.
“Being interim chief is an honor and a big responsibility,” Gerardo said. “But I don’t feel any different. I’m just a normal person who likes what I do.”