Downey Picks Police Chief, Political Links Worry Some

A Los Angeles Police Department captain became Downey’s fifth police chief amid concerns that the longtime resident’s involvement in local politics might affect his ability to run the department impartially.

D. Clayton Mayes, 47, of Downey was appointed Tuesday night by City Manager Gerald Caton, a move that was approved by the council 4 to 1. The former local school board member was selected over former Pomona Police Chief Richard M. Tefank, the runner-up of six finalists for the job. Mayes, who will be paid about $80,000 a year, will replace Chief Pete Stone after he retires Friday.

Councilwoman Diane P. Boggs cast the dissenting vote.

“I felt there was quite a bit of controversy at this point in time and that (Mayes’ appointment) would hurt the community,” said Boggs, who added that she also thought other candidates were better qualified.

The controversy stems from Mayes’ personal friendship with Mayor Randall R. Barb and that Mayes was on the Board of Education of the Downey Unified School District from 1974 until he was defeated in a 1987 election. Mayes also was a colleague of Councilman Robert G. Cormack, who served on the school board in the 1970s.

Some local activists viewed Mayes as the council majority’s “predetermined choice,” Boggs said. And they questioned whether Mayes, who has made some political enemies in the city, would run the department impartially.

Cormack brushed aside those concerns and praised Mayes for his community involvement, which includes serving on the Downey YMCA board of directors.

“I think that’s an asset,” Cormack said. “There is no doubt that he was far and above the best candidate as I saw it.”

City Manager Caton echoed Cormack.

Downey School Board member Mary Tesoriero, who defeated Mayes in 1987, was among those concerned about his possible appointment. Tesoriero, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday, last week told a local newspaper, “Our chief should be someone uninvolved with the political activities of this community so that all his decisions can be as free from bias as possible.”

Stone said Tesoriero’s concern was valid, but he thought Mayes would be a fair chief.

“The Police Department should not be a political animal,” Stone said. “I would feel more comfortable had he not had the political involvement.”

Mayes said Wednesday that he will run the department impartially.

“I want to bring teamwork as opposed to having division in the community,” Mayes said.

Regarding his plans for the department, Mayes said, “Pete Stone has given outstanding leadership, and I want to continue with the program he has in effect.”

Stone has been police chief since 1987. The 55-year-old Downey resident joined the department as an officer in 1958.

Tuesday’s appointment ends a months-long search for a new head of the 112-member police force.

Six finalists were interviewed by a seven-member screening committee, which included the five council members.

Mayes joined the LAPD as an officer in 1964 and rose to the rank of captain in July, 1979. He is the commanding officer of the department’s burglary/auto theft division, which has about 60 detectives and officers, department spokesmen said. He has a master’s degree in public administration.

Tefank, Mayes’ closest competitor, was fired last October by the Pomona City Council after he refused to dismiss several management-level police officers.

The state Peace Officers Research Assn. of California, which represents 33,000 law-enforcement officers, has joined a campaign to recall Pomona Councilman C.L. (Clay) Bryant for his role in Tefank’s firing and his treatment of other officers.

Cormack said that Tefank’s problems in Pomona weighed in the vote.