Chief of Police in Simi Valley Steps Down After Short Tenure

After less than a year on the job, Simi Valley Police Chief Willard R. Schlieter resigned Thursday, capping a week of rumors predicting his imminent departure.

Sources close to the department said the chief’s top commanders were unhappy with his management style--that he was too much of an administrator and did not take firm command of the department.

“He was in way over his head,” said a source with intimate knowledge of Police Department management. “He lost the respect of his employees, and he lost control of the department.”

Reached at his home Thursday evening, Schlieter, 54, had no comment.

When questioned earlier in the week about rumors that he was being forced out, Schlieter appeared surprised. “I have no plans” to retire, he said. As for the rumors, he added, “It’s news to me.”

City Manager Lin Koester issued a terse statement Thursday announcing the resignation. “The chief informed me this morning that he wished to move on to other career pursuits,” Koester wrote. “I wish him the best in his endeavors.”

The resignation is effective March 3. Koester said he would appoint an interim chief soon to lead the department until a permanent chief can be recruited.

Schlieter met with Koester on Tuesday to discuss the chief’s first annual performance review. As part of the review, Koester had previously met with lieutenants and captains within the department to solicit their opinions of Schlieter’s performance since he took over last March.

Blair Summey, president of the city Police Officers Assn., blamed the chief’s departure on a communications breakdown within the department.

“Unfortunately, I think his downfall was due in large part to the fact that he did not have the support of middle management,” Summey said. “The situation got to the point where he was not being given accurate information from his lieutenants, which hampered his ability to do a good job.”

Schlieter was hired last March from his post as police chief of Urbana, Ill.

There were few outward signs of displeasure with his performance.

Although criticized in June by Sgt. Gary Collins, then president of the Police Officers Assn., for failing to provide direction within the department, Schlieter received a 3% merit raise in July, boosting his annual salary to $86,000, plus benefits.

Times staff writer Mack Reed and correspondent Scott Hadly contributed to this story.