Randy Adams Sworn In as Simi Valley Police Chief : Law enforcement: Officers in troubled department looking forward to fresh ideas, new leadership style and a change in direction.

Members of this city’s troubled Police Department eagerly welcomed Randy Adams as their new chief Tuesday.

Adams was sworn in during a brief ceremony at City Hall to take over a department rocked by the death of Officer Michael Clark, three recent instances of alleged officer misconduct and the lack of a leader.

“The mood at the department today is celebratory,” Lt. Rex Jones said. “We’ve been in need of a permanent leader for quite awhile. We look forward to fresh ideas, a new leadership style and a new direction.”

That is exactly what the Simi Valley department is going to get, said Ventura Lt. Steve Bowman, who has worked with Adams for many years.

“Randy’s a leader, not a bureaucrat,” Bowman said. “That’s his real strength.”

In a gesture that many say is demonstrative of his consensus-building style, Adams said his first objective would be to meet with his captains and sergeants.

“My No. 1 objective is to listen,” he said.

After taking suggestions from his new staff, Adams said he hoped to develop a strategic plan to guide the department for the next four or five years.

Adams, 44, was chosen after an extensive search to fill the vacancy opened in March when Chief Willard R. Schlieter resigned amid accusations that he was a weak commander. Acting Chief Richard Wright has returned to his post as captain overseeing administration.

Wright said that while the police force faces a number of difficulties, Adams is nonetheless “walking into a fine Police Department.”

The muscular, 6-foot, 5-inch Adams joined the Ventura Police Department in 1972 and worked his way up through the ranks to assistant chief. He was born in Los Angeles, holds two master’s degrees and serves as president of the California Police Chiefs Assn.

For Adams, wearing the four stars of a police chief is the fulfillment of a career-long goal.

He could barely contain his excitement as he gripped the microphone Donahue-style and addressed the audience of City Council members, police officers, county officials and family members.

“I’m overwhelmed, I really am,” he said. “I’m very excited to stand here before you as the new chief of Simi Valley.”

Adams’ parents were similarly excited for their son.

“I’m so proud I could just pop,” George Adams said. “But I’m sort of used to it in a way--he’s always done so well.”

While his Ventura lieutenants said Adams would be missed, they agreed that his departure would open up several new positions after years of inertia.

“Every organization needs movement,” Bowman said. “Movement through the ranks has been frozen for nearly three years due to budget cuts.”

Five of Ventura’s six lieutenants are expected to test for Adams’ old spot, which is slated to be filled in October and create a domino effect for new promotions on down the line.

Another benefit of Adams’ appointment will be having a Simi Valley chief with firsthand knowledge of west county issues, Ventura Detective Mike Tracy said.

“Simi Valley won’t feel so far away with Randy there,” Tracy said. “His appointment should help communication between both sides of the Conejo Grade. It’s nice to know we can call someone in Simi Valley that we know on a first-name basis.”

But Simi Valley will take some getting used to for the new chief. He still doesn’t know many officers’ names, let alone street names.

Adams, who will move into an apartment in the west end of town next week, said he hopes to soon memorize a Police Department photo album and ride along with officers to learn about his new territory.

“I’m learning as quickly as possible,” he said.