Emotional Farewell Letter: Redwood City's Police Chief Announces Retirement

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Redwood City police Chief JR Gamez announced Wednesday that he is retiring because of an existing medical condition. Gamez's retirement is effective Dec. 11 and Deputy Chief Gary Kirby will serve as interim chief while a search for the next permanent chief is conducted, city officials said.

"It is with deep regret and sadness that I have accepted that it is time to listen to my doctors and retire," Gamez wrote in an online letter to the city. (scroll down to read the full letter)

Gamez has more than 31 years of law enforcement experience and worked in the San Jose Police Department before he was sworn in as Redwood City's police chief in December 2011.

"My time in Redwood City has been the most rewarding in my career," he said in his letter. "I have had the opportunity to build friendships with many members of our community and city staff that will last
a lifetime."

Redwood City Mayor John Seybert said Gamez "will be missed" but "our police command staff and the men and women of the Redwood City Police Department will continue Chief Gamez's outstanding legacy."

Kirby has been serving as acting chief for several months and has been with Redwood City police for five years. Previously, he worked with San Jose police and has also worked for Apple Inc., city officials said.

City officials say a community reception will be held in honor of the chief "...for his tremendous contributions to law enforcement and his outstanding service to the Redwood City community." A date and time was not immediately announced for the event.

Here's the full statement from Chief Gamez:

I have greatly enjoyed every single moment I have served as the Chief of the Redwood City Police Department, and I will miss the agency and its people immensely.

It was my goal as Police Chief to ensure the Redwood City Police Department and its personnel, were the best trained, best equipped and best led police agency in the nation. I had the opportunity to promote and hire outstanding personnel to assist me to ensure we achieved that goal. Our team has done phenomenal work.

The Redwood City Police Department is a proud group, and I am proud to have worn the uniform with distinction. Over the last six years we have significantly decreased violent and property crimes and developed internationally recognized community policing programs to benefit our residents. There have been many innovative community policing programs that have been implemented to engage with al l members of our diverse community.

Programs such as Adopt-A-School, Coffee with Cops, Town Halls, Spanish Facebook Page, English and Spanish-Citizens Academies, Parent Project, Homeless Outreach, and the creation of our Downtown Services Unit are a few of the community building programs that have fostered a sense of trust with our citizens and police force.

Due to an existing medical condition, it is with deep regret and sadness that I have accepted that it is time to listen to my doctors and retire. I plan on focusing on my health and spending time with family. I conclude my law enforcement career with over 31 years of public service. My time in Redwood City has been the most rewarding in my career. I have had the opportunity to build friendships with many members of our community that will last a lifetime.

I thank the amazing community of Redwood City for all of their support. About six years ago, the residents of Redwood City welcomed me with open arms and it was my mi ssion to ensure that we provided our citizens with exceptional police services. I thank Mayor Seybert, as well as all of our past and present council members and mayors, for their unwavering support of public safety.

Thank you for listening to my message, relative to police staffing, and how important it is to ensure we have enough officers to deliver essential police services to our very deserving and growing community. I also want to thank our City Manager, Melissa Stevenson Diaz, for her leadership and trust to allow us to become one of the most innovative and respected police departments. I would also like to thank our former City Manager, Dr. Robert Bell, for giving me the opportunity to serve the Redwood City community. A special thank you to all of the city department heads and city staff for allowing me to work hand in hand with you to share in providing services to an outstanding community.

Last, but not least, I wish the very best to the police officers as well as our non-sworn police personnel that comprise the Redwood City Police Department. They have a very difficult job. I love, respect and admire them for risking their lives every day to protect the members of our community. Our police officers and staff truly care for this community.

May God bless Redwood City and the Redwood City Police Department.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve as your police chief.

--

Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone / Bay City News Service contributed to this report