Redwood City names police chief

After a seven-month nationwide search, Redwood City Manager Bob Bell announced the appointment of Capt. J.R. Gamez of the San Jose Police Department as the city’s new police chief.

"We had a lot of very qualified candidates and they went through an exhaustive process that included meeting with department and community members, city staff and myself. J.R. demonstrated strong leadership skills, a great vision for the department and community and he had a proven track record of working with the community and implementing innovative programs that improve the quality of life for residents and businesses alike. He is a thoughtful and articulate individual and he really understands the importance of working with the community. We are fortunate to have him accept this position,” Bell said.

Gamez will take over the department Dec. 2. He will be paid a salary of $15,582 a month, or $186,984 annually, and was hired as an "at will” employee as part of the executive management group. The Redwood City Police Department has a total of 94 sworn officers and numerous support staff.

As part of Gamez’s contract, he will be encouraged but not required to live in Redwood City. He has been married to his wife, Patty, for 25 years and they have two children, Gabrielle and Matthew.

"I will be relocating to Redwood City in the next few months,” Gamez said. He will first move into a rented apartment until his son graduates from high school in June 2012. The family will then relocate here permanently. They currently live in Morgan Hill.

The appointment comes nine months after the resignation of former Police Chief Louis Cobarruviaz on Feb. 16. He was sworn in as chief on Jan. 18, 2007. At the time, Cobarruviaz was the fifth-highest-paid city employee with a salary of $213,279. There is no date set for Gamez’s swearing in. Cobarruviaz appointed Gamez sergeant in 1994 when he served as the San Jose police chief from 1991 to 1998.

As the search for a chief was conducted, Bell appointed two highly respected Redwood City police captains, Ed Hernandez and Chris Cesena, as rotating acting chiefs. Both applied for the chief position.

We had "internal candidates for the position and they were very qualified, the competition was very tight and my objective was to hire the best individual for the job that had a variety of experiences working with a diverse community.” Bell said. "I included a lot of people in the assessment process, and at the end of that process and in my follow-up interviews with J.R. and those he had worked with, it was clear he was the best person to lead our police department. It was a difficult decision but I believe the right decision for our department and the community,” he added.

Redwood City Mayor Jeff Ira said the decision was Bell’s, and one he wholly supports.

"I removed myself 100 percent from the hiring process, and Bob would let me know how it was going and when he would be making the final selection,” said Ira. "I am confident in process and confident in Bob, and knowing Bob, it must be a great choice.”

The decision is also supported by the Redwood City Police Officers Association.

"The POA has great faith in Bob Bell and his ability to recruit and appoint a highly effective leader for our department. Our members welcome this new era ... with Chief Gamez at the helm with enthusiasm and optimism,” said Redwood City POA President Mike Reynolds. "We will embrace this change in leadership while maintaining our motivation and commitment to the citizens of Redwood City.”

The appointment is another step in the city’s staff and department reorganization that included the resignation of city manager Peter Ingram, the appointment of Bell, the resignation of Cobarruviaz, the elimination of the deputy city manager position, two demotions in the Planning and Economic Development Department management, the hiring of a new economic development coordinator and City Attorney Pamela Thompson, the retirement of Community Development Services Supervisor Pat Webb and the hiring of a new economic development coordinator and building inspector.

"This is a huge appointment for our organization,” Ira said. "We have been in limbo waiting for a new police chief, and moving forward this will be positive for our Police Department and community in so many different ways. … There is no question in my mind that there will be 100 percent support there from the organization and I am looking forward to that,” he said.

Gamez was born in San Francisco and graduated from San Francisco Christian High School in 1980. He then attended Fresno Pacific College and San Francisco State University.

Gamez joined the San Jose Police Department on April 18, 1986. He is currently the Western Division commander. He worked in patrol and was then selected to work in the following specialized assignments: Special Operations — Narcotics Enforcement Team, as a detective with the Narcotics and Covert Investigations Unit and as task force agent with the DEA. Gamez was promoted to sergeant on May 15, 1994.

As a sergeant, Gamez supervised patrol officers and was selected to work as a supervisor in the following specialized assignments: Juvenile/Missing Persons, Narcotics and Covert Investigations, DEA Task Force, Night Detective Detail and Special Operations — Street Crimes/METRO Unit. He was promoted to lieutenant on Feb. 16, 2003. He served as a patrol watch commander, lieutenant of the Special Operations — Violent Crimes Enforcement Team, and as the commander of the Homicide/Crime Scene Unit. Gamez was promoted to captain on Feb. 6, 2009, where he currently serves as the Western Division patrol commander.

"I am ready for it. I am prepared to take on the responsibilities,” Gamez said, adding that he will be bringing fresh eyes to the organization and will do a 90-day assessment which includes meeting with all individuals within the department and the community.

"I am impressed with the department, its officers. They are professional and have an outstanding reputation,” Gamez said. "This is a great fit for me” and he plans on working as a team and "taking it to the next level.”