Huntington Beach police chief’s contract is renewed, despite unions’ opposition

The Huntington Beach City Council reappointed Police Chief Robert Handy for five years on Tuesday night amid praise from several community members and frustration from many in the Police Department who have publicly slammed Handy’s job performance in recent months.

The council approved Handy’s contract on a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Billy O’Connell dissenting.

Handy’s supporters on the council contended that their votes did not preclude support for the police rank-and-file, whose union has alleged that Handy is creating an atmosphere of mistrust and poor communication within the department.

The council members cited a need to give Handy a chance to accomplish a series of recommendations recently issued in a review of the department that noted “deep divisions” among its personnel.

That report, by Costa Mesa-based Management Partners, envisions a five-year plan. That’s why Handy deserves a five-year contract, the majority said.

Councilman Patrick Brenden said Handy should be commended when one considers that Huntington Beach has a low ratio of officers to residents yet achieves low crime rates for a city its size.

“Performance like that doesn’t just happen,” Brenden said.

Councilwoman Lyn Semeta called the department “fantastic” and said all sides need to work together.

“It’s time to move on, folks,” she said. “It’s time to allow the healing to take place and go forward.”

O’Connell, a former Los Angeles County sheriff’’s deputy, said Handy did not deserve a five-year deal considering that violent crime was up 28% in 2017 compared with the year before, according to a recent report.

“These numbers mean that Huntington Beach families are in more danger than ever before,” O’Connell said. “It is time for us to wage war on crime in Huntington Beach.”

Though Handy has been praised by many residents and business leaders for his strong community involvement and fundraising prowess — he is on the boards of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley and the Huntington Beach Police and Community Foundation — he has faced strong public criticism from the majority of personnel in his department, with both the rank-and-file and management unions calling for his ouster.

Members of the Huntington Beach Police Officers Assn. who attended Tuesday’s meeting testified that he has created an “underlying negative energy” throughout the department.

The union has differed with Handy over his support for body cameras and what it calls his failure to support and bond with his management team and officers.

HBPOA Vice President Yasha Nikitin said 92% of the union’s membership opposes Handy.

“What you hear in the public isn’t what we live behind closed doors in the Police Department,” Nikitin told the council. “It’s sad you don’t support us.”

HBPOA President Dave Humphreys suggested a one-year contract for Handy, with the requirement that he meet certain benchmarks to keep the post longer.

“I see a future of concern for retention and recruitment of this Police Department unless things change,” Humphreys said.

Some residents called the union’s criticism a “smear campaign.” The association has implemented robocalls, social media posts and television advertisements, which some residents said have ruined the union’s credibility.

Gino Bruno said Huntington Beach residents like him “continue to be impressed by [Handy’s] leadership, accountability, transparency and his continuing efforts to move the department in a direction that embraces the future, with all of its technology and community-oriented policing.”

Local Realtor and Huntington Beach resident Martie Etheridge praised Handy’s community involvement.

“He has integrity,” she said. “He’s upright. He’s straightforward.”

Former Councilman Devin Dwyer called for all involved to reach an agreement.

“It’s time to start working together and get some cohesiveness between the two sides,” he said.

City staff had recommended reappointing Handy, citing a need to “provide continuity of leadership, promote staff development and training throughout the department and develop a shared vision.”

Handy came to Huntington Beach in December 2013 after serving as police chief in San Bernardino. He also worked for the Phoenix Police Department for 21 years, attaining the rank of commander.

Handy’s reappointment did not include an immediate salary increase.

bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint