5 Questions: Randy Davis, Chief of Police for the City of South Gate.

South Gate's new police chief, , gave South Gate Patch Latino answers to five questions, including his thoughts on the department's budget and the implementation of legislative measure AB 353, the vehicle impound law.

South Gate Patch Latino: What achievement are you most proud of as a policeman?

Chief Davis: I think that the achievement that I am most proud of consists more of a period of time rather than a single individual achievement.  The period of time that I am referring to is the year 2011 when the former Chief of Police George Troxcil assumed the role of interim city manager in addition to his role as police chief. 

During that time, it was necessary for Chief Troxcil to spend more and more time away from the police department due to the responsibilities associated with his role as the city manager.  In spite of this time away, the police department functioned seamlessly and efficiently. 

I, along with Capt. Darren Sullivan, absorbed a good portion of the responsibilities associated with the Office of the Chief, and we were able to facilitate the day-to-day operation of the police department. This success was only made possible through the work ethic and professionalism of the men and women of the South Gate Police Department.   

South Gate Patch Latino: How have budget constraints affected the South Gate Police Department?

Chief Davis: The South Gate Police Department is not unique in that we have been affected much the same as other agencies have been affected.  We have had to curtail the budget expenditures to a certain point but not at the expense of public safety. We are still able to budget and purchase all of the necessary items that we need to operate efficiently and we have been able to work within reasonable guidelines when we prepare our budget. 

We are fortunate to work with a city staff and a City Council that understands what we need to operate successfully. The South Gate City Council has a fiduciary responsibility to the city that they must consider when adopting the annual budget, but they also have an understanding of the operational necessities that the police department needs in order to provide for public safety. It is a good working relationship that has enabled the City of South Gate to survive in difficult financial times.   

South Gate Patch Latino: Has South Gate seen a spike in particular crimes during the recession?

Chief Davis: Generally speaking, crime has not increased in South Gate during the last couple of years.  We have seen a reduction in most of the serious crimes during the last year, and a reduction in part one [violent] crime over the last three years compared to the three years previous to that. 

There was an increase in grand theft auto over the last year, but last year’s total was still significantly lower than the total average grand theft auto incidents from the last 10 years. South Gate police officers take pride in their city and the relationship that we have with the citizens. This is reflected in their work product. 

The South Gate Police Department has regular community meetings throughout the city that enable us to share and receive information. This contributes to quality of life issues, including the reduction of crime.      

South Gate: What is South Gate’s impound policy and how has it changed with legislative measure AB 353?

Chief Davis: The South Gate Police Department’s impound policy is similar to many other police agencies in that it is predicated on the California Vehicle Code.  The CVC allows for the impounding of vehicles for a variety of reasons, including license violations that include expiration, suspension, revocation and restrictions. 

Assembly Bill 353 created modifications in existing law that pertains to the .  The modifications were enacted to allow an unlicensed driver stopped at a sobriety checkpoint an opportunity to avoid the vehicle being impounded if the only violation is a driver’s license violation and not a sobriety issue. 

The release of the vehicle would still require the registered owner’s involvement and a licensed driver to take possession of the vehicle before it would be released. These new changes that have been signed into law have been included in our officer training and will be a part of future enforcement operations.     

South Gate Patch Latino: How important is cooperation with other neighboring municipal police departments?

Chief Davis: The relationship that the South Gate Police Department has with our neighboring agencies is very important.  Many of the issues we deal with in South Gate are also being dealt with in other cities in the southeast area.  By establishing solid communication with other police agencies and building good relationships we are able to address many issues on a united front rather than trying to deal with them single handedly. 

Whether it is a particular gang problem, a residential burglary crime pattern or even technology updates, the partnerships that we form with other cities is a valuable tool in our success. Many of the local SWAT or tactical teams train together on a regular basis and we assist each other in various operations to maintain open lines of communication. In addition, the chiefs of police from many of the local police agencies meet on a regular basis to discuss recent developments and share updates with each other. 

Collaboration and cooperation is a key component in a successful policing model in today’s times and the South Gate Police Department will continue to cultivate these relationships.