The State : New San Diego Chief of Police

The assistant chief of the San Diego Police Department for the last 10 years, Bob Burgreen, was chosen to head the department. Burgreen, 49, a 28-year veteran of the department, was picked to head an 1,850-officer Police Department that in recent years has struggled with community relations problems and a rising crime rate due to an increase in drug and gang activity. He was chosen from among four in-house candidates and one police official from outside San Diego to succeed Bill Kolender, who resigned to accept an executive position with Copley newspapers. The appointment by City Manager John Lockwood is subject to City Council approval.