VENTURA : Full-Dress Police Inspection Planned

Ventura Police Department patrol officers will line up for their first full-dress inspection in more than a decade Tuesday as part of a formal change of command in the department hierarchy.

Capt. Randy G. Adams called for the uniform inspection during a meeting to introduce himself to 70 employees of the field services bureau, which includes the patrol division. Adams was named bureau commander last month to succeed Capt. Ken Thompson, who took over as commander of investigations from retired Capt. Marv Houghton.

Unlike the more regimented California Highway Patrol, which conducts equipment and grooming inspections each January, Adams said the Ventura Police Department has not required a mandatory dress inspection for nearly 15 years. The expense of calling in officers to appear in their long-sleeved uniforms, ties, soft caps and minimally outfitted equipment belts makes routine inspections too expensive, Adams said.

Officers in the traffic division will man patrol cars during the 2 1/2-hour meeting.

Adams previously was commander of the support services bureau, which handles administrative affairs. Capt. Pat Rooney takes over the support services bureau.

For posterity, a photograph will be taken of the assembled staff for display with historic department photographs.