Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Ron Lowenberg Named Costa Mesa Interim Police Chief

INTERIM CHIEF HAS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE
CEO Tom Hatch announced today that Ron Lowenberg will become the Interim Police Chief for the City of Costa Mesa beginning tomorrow.

UNIVERSALLY RESPECTED
I won't attempt to paraphrase the announcement, which goes into great lengths extolling Lowenberg's virtues and background, except to say that I know many people in senior law enforcement roles througout Southern California and every single one of them think Lowenberg is an outstanding law enforcement leader.  We wish him the very best of luck as he leads the beleagured men and women of the Costa Mesa Police Department as a new permanent replacement for retired Chief Tom Gazsi is sought.

CITY PRESS RELEASE
Here is the complete text of the press release:

Law enforcement veteran Ron Lowenberg named Costa Mesa interim police chief
Posted Date: 2/10/2015
 
Ron Lowenberg, retired Huntington Beach police chief and dean of the police training academy at Golden West College, has been named interim police chief of Costa Mesa.

Chief Lowenberg will work closely with Capt. Rob Sharpnack, who has been acting police chief since December, in leading the Costa Mesa Police Department. He will start work on Wednesday.
“We’re fortunate to get one of the most respected law enforcement leaders in California to assist us through this transition period,” said City CEO Tom Hatch. “Rob Sharpnack has done an outstanding job as acting police chief, and I know his excellent leadership will continue with the mentorship of Chief Lowenberg."

During this transition period Chief Lowenberg will be accessing organizational structure, operations, resources and staffing. Organizational and staff development,  including a structured mentoring/succession planning process, will be developed. The recruitment and retention of police officers, civilian personnel, reserves and volunteers will receive top priority. Also critical is relationship building between the police department, City Hall, City Council and community.

Lowenberg had served in a number of local policing agencies for 36 years, including as police chief for Cypress (1981-1989) and Huntington Beach (1989-2002). He was interim police chief for Pomona from 2002-03.

He’s presently the senior member on the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, having been appointed and reappointed by five consecutive governors. He is the recipient of the prestigious governor’s lifetime achievement award for Excellence in Peace Officer Training, and was past president of the California Police Chief’s Assn. and the Orange County Chiefs of Police and Sheriff’s Assn.

Lowenberg, who served in the United States Marine Corps, has been dean/director of the Criminal Justice Training Center at Golden West College since 2003.

“For decades I've had the greatest admiration and respect for the men and women of the Costa Mesa Police Department,” Lowenberg said.  “And I’m honored and excited to serve one of the finest policing  organizations in the state.”

Lowenberg will make $100 hourly with no benefits.

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1 Comments:

Anonymous Ken Nyquist said...

My sweet wife thought the world of Chief Lowenberg when she worked at the City of Huntington Beach, in HR, and believes he will do a great job. I trust her judgement a lot. Good news for the City of Costa Mesa.

2/10/2015 02:27:00 PM  

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