Placentia Police Chief Daryll Thomann
Daryll Thomann started with Placentia Police Department 28 years ago as a patrol officer. Over the years, he climbed the ranks, and on Feb. 25 was sworn in as the department’s new police chief. Thomann, 55, who spent most of his career overseeing investigations, holds a master’s degree in management, and is active with the city’s Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. Thomann will oversee a department of 68 employees, including 51 sworn officers. He recently spoke to Times correspondent Debra Cano about his plans “to provide the best quality law enforcement for the community.”
Q: Why have you remained with Placentia’s police force?
A: Mainly because the city has been good to me. I’ve had promotional opportunities and I’ve just always enjoyed working for this community.
Q: What changes are you planning for the Police Department?
A: Basically, just making some minor adjustments in the organization to meet the current needs. One of the first things I’ll be doing is transferring a lieutenant into an administration slot. The lieutenant will oversee the newly established Professional Standards Bureau, which includes training, personnel, crime prevention and all the auxiliary programs. [One] of the duties he’ll be in charge of is all of our auxiliary programs, like the reserves, the chaplains and the explorers. The lieutenant will also be overseeing internal affairs and grant-writing proposals in attempt to solicit as many grants as we can find to assist the department in gaining not only equipment, but additional manpower.
Q: Will you be pushing to add more police to the force this year?
A: We’re reviewing our needs to determine if we do need more officers and we’re reviewing the financial capabilities of the city. We’re also exploring possible grants to be able to fund additional officers. Right now, part of our problem is we have so many officers out on injuries, and our overtime budget to meet staffing requirements has skyrocketed.
Q: With crime a top concern, what will you do to enhance public safety?
A: We’re always attempting to address that issue. We’re assessing the needs of the city right now to make sure we have the manpower in the right places to address the issues of the community. We’re also doing an assessment of our gang problems in the city. Our gang problem goes up and down and I’m trying to get an assessment of how we’re adequately staffed in that area. We’re also looking at our investigations bureau to make sure were properly staffed in order to resolve some of the unsolved crimes.