Q & A: OUTGOING GARDEN GROVE POLICE CHIEF STAN KNEE

Stan Knee, 49, will take over as chief of police in Austin, Texas, as of Monday. Knee, a Garden Grove native, has been chief for five years and spent a total of 24 years with the Garden Grove Police Department. He recently was honored by the City Council for his work. Correspondent Cathy Werblin talked with Knee before his departure about his tenure in Garden Grove.

Q: What are you the most proud of during your stint as chief?

A: I’m most proud of the fact that through the efforts of the Police Department and the community, we have improved the quality of life in Garden Grove and reduced crime. When the department went to community policing we were able to develop strong bonds with key people in the community. They were willing to put forth their own efforts and organize their own neighborhoods. That and the tremendous support we received from City Hall made community policing work in this city. One example is the new single-family housing tract that will be built at West and Garden Grove Boulevard. This was one of the worst parts of the city with corrupt motels and several businesses that attracted the criminal element.

Q: Will you be taking the community policing concept with you to Austin?

A: I became an advocate of community policing when I was in National City, and the successes in Garden Grove have confirmed that it does work and it doesn’t necessarily need incredible numbers of officers to work. It needs dedicated police officers, citizen activists, and support from City Hall and the City Council. We’ve had that here.

Q: What was the biggest challenge in Garden Grove?

A: There were two big challenges. One was keeping the organization focused during a period of reduction in force. Some people call it cut-back management. At our peak we had 175 officers and we’re now authorized for 157. Four of those are grant positions. My other biggest challenge was the department’s three-year hunt for the killer of [Officer] Howard Dallies.

Q: What did that investigation entail?

A: I felt obligated to the organization and to the community to do whatever was humanly possible to find Dallies’ killer. We reestablished a task force with 12 officers assigned to the case at its peak. We worked for nearly a year, and through that we were able to identify the alleged killer. Murder charges were filed by the district attorney’s office . I felt a great a sense of relief after this person was apprehended.

Q: How do you feel about leaving your hometown and the department where you’ve spent nearly all of your career?

A: I leave here with mixed emotions. It’s a great opportunity ahead but I’ll miss the friendships and roots we’ve established in this community.