SAN CLEMENTE : Police Captain to Be Chief at Hercules

Capt. Alicia Powers, the highest-ranking woman police official in Orange County, has announced that she will be leaving next week to become police chief in the Bay Area community of Hercules.

“It is always with mixed emotions that one leaves an organization,” Powers said in her letter of resignation. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in San Clemente and the friends that I have made here. I will miss these experiences. However, I am excited about the opportunity I have been given in Hercules.”

Before coming to San Clemente in April, 1989, Powers spent more than 17 years with the Long Beach Police Department, rising through the ranks to lieutenant.

In San Clemente, as second in charge of the department, she has headed the operations division, which includes the patrol and detectives operations.

In Hercules, Powers, 48, said she expects to deal with many of the issues she has encountered in San Clemente. Like San Clemente, Hercules is primarily a bedroom community, with a small commercial and economic base.

“The financial resources are a real challenge,” Powers said. “But I think I have experience trying to get blood out of a turnip.”

Powers said the financial problems plaguing the San Clemente Police Department had nothing to do with her decision to leave. Next month, the City Council is expected to decide whether to keep the 65-year-old department or hire the county Sheriff’s Department to assume police powers, a move which could save at least $1.3 million per year, according to some estimates.

Since 1987, after doing some police work in Sacramento, Powers said she’s had it in the “back of her mind” to try to find a permanent position in Northern California. “I’ve kept my eye open for opportunities,” she said.

When Powers begins her new post in February, she will become one of only a handful of female police chiefs in the state. Despite her successful rise through the law enforcement ranks, Powers said she never expected to become a police chief, at least until recently.

“After I came to San Clemente, being basically the second in command, the feedback I was getting was they thought I was demonstrating the capability,” Powers said.

Although sorry to see her go, city officials said they are confident she will make an excellent police chief.

“Her strong managerial skills and values were a great asset to the department,” Police Chief Michael L. Sorg said. “She was never one to shirk responsibilities or avoid making tough decisions. She is a very talented and knowledgeable person.”

City Manager Michael W. Parness agreed. “I am sorry to see her go, but wish her well,” Parness said. “With her appointment as chief, Capt. Powers becomes the seventh (San Clemente) division commander who has gone on to be a police chief. That speaks very highly of the caliber of personnel in the Police Department.”