GARDEN GROVE : Abrecht Becomes Interim Police Chief
Capt. David Abrecht, 43, a 16-year veteran of the Garden Grove Police Department, takes over as interim police chief today, replacing John R. Robertson, who is leaving to become police chief of Orange.
Abrecht is expected to head the 168-member force until at least September, when a permanent chief will be picked after a recruiting campaign.
Abrecht, who was a detective in Tucson before joining the Garden Grove department, said he is considering applying for the chief’s job permanently.
The department has a ratio of 1.1 officers per 1,000 residents, the lowest level of protection in Orange County for cities with a population of more than 100,000, Abrecht said.
He added that the department “is doing a fine job” despite financial woes and will continue to focus on gangs and drugs--”high-visibility, high-profile problems.”
The department faces a loss of 15 permanent positions in the coming year’s budget.
Abrecht has been in charge of the administrative services bureau, supervising training, hiring, budget preparation and internal affairs.
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