New Police Chief Takes Over July 17
Costa Mesa Police Capt. Robert Moody will take charge of the Claremont Police Department on July 17, giving the city its first permanent police chief in almost a year, City Manager Glenn Southard announced last week.
Moody, 54, who has been in law enforcement for 32 years, was hailed by Southard as “a seasoned professional with a broad base of experience.”
Moody succeeds Jimmie Kennedy, who was hired as interim police chief in January after the resignation of Dexter Atkinson.
Atkinson resigned in December after a four-month investigation of allegations that he allowed a three-time convicted drunk driver to supervise remodeling work at the police station in lieu of serving required jail time.
Southard had placed Atkinson on paid administrative leave last August.
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