Petaluma Police Department's Clare Torina Retiring After 35 Years

PETALUMA, CA — One of Petaluma Police Department's "finest public servants," Clare Torina, has decided to retire, concluding a 35-year career for the department. Torina, who grew up in Petaluma, began working for the police department on June 18, 1984 and has since "served the community with distinction and dedication" in a variety of assignments, according to a Petaluma Police Department news release issued Thursday.

For her first five years with Petaluma PD, Torina worked in a parking enforcement role.

Then, on Dec. 18, 1989, she was promoted to community service officer. As a CSO, she supported patrol operations by responding to non-emergency calls for service to free up officers to handle other more critical duties.

"She was a true leader in community policing and engagement by leading the city’s neighborhood watch program, community outreach to youth and seniors, and attending all community special events," said Petaluma police Chief Ken Savano.

Torina was known for serving as McGruff, the famous crime-fighting dog who is the department's community mascot.

"Clare asked that she be allowed to retire without any recognition or celebration," Savano said. "I must apologize to her as there is no possible way we could let her retire quietly without expressing to her the gratitude of the community, city and her Department."

She also became a crime scene investigator and fingerprint expert for the department. As a CSI, she left no stone unturned, Savano said, and is credited with the arrests of multiple felony burglary suspects based on a fingerprint evidence collected from multiple crime scenes.

She also took on the stress and challenge of becoming a public safety dispatcher. She continued to work in dispatch throughout her entire career, but her passion, Savano said, was being in the field and helping community members by providing excellent service.

In June 2017, she transferred from community service officer to full-time public safety dispatcher.

Torina also became famous for her breakfast creations, which she would bring in for the patrol team or for group briefings.

"Regardless of the time of day or shift, breakfast was always the menu and it was always good," Savano said.

Throughout her 35-year career, Torina was also known for smiling and joking with every member of the department, regardless of their tenure — never missing an opportunity to help plan celebrations for co-workers or the department, the chief said.

"To say Clare helped everyone in the organization would be an understatement," Savano said. "She always carried a caseload four times greater than any patrol officer, and when duty called or volunteers were needed after hours, Clare was the first person to show up and the last person to leave."

Saturday, June 29 will be Torina's last shift answering calls as a dispatcher.

"Please join me in thanking Clare for her 35 years of service to the Petaluma community and congratulating her on a well-deserved service retirement, "Savano said. "She will be missed dearly by her friends, colleagues, and our community."