LOS ALAMITOS : Efficiency Is Goal in Divided Police Dept.

The City Council has approved a plan to reorganize the Police Department into two divisions, each to be headed by a captain.

Police Chief Michael J. Skogh said the changes are needed to increase the department’s efficiency, provide clear lines of responsibility and create a stronger management team.

The council approved the proposal this week in Skogh’s first major act since taking over in January the top post in the 31-person department that includes 25 police officers.

With the reorganization, the position of commander will be changed to captain and a vacant lieutenant’s position will be upgraded to captain.

Gary Biggerstaff, who has been responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department, is currently designated as police commander, while the lieutenant position became vacant with the death of Duane Swearingen in December.

Under the current structure, the police commander manages patrol shifts, sergeants and corporals, detectives, training, reserves and explorer programs, parking control and crossing guards.

The lieutenant handles such duties as maintaining employee and training records, disaster preparedness and community services. The lieutenant often becomes a subordinate of the commander, affecting the efficiency of the department, Skogh said.

With the reorganization, one captain will take charge of traffic, reserves, and other field services and the other captain will be responsible for investigations, training and administrative duties.

Skogh said that Biggerstaff remains a captain with no change in his total monthly compensation of $8,000. The other captain will be hired from within the department if a suitable candidate is found, he said.

Interviews and testing will be held in March, Skogh said, although he declined to say when the position will be filled.