Police Chief Thomas to Retire in December

Police Chief Richard Thomas said Thursday he will retire from duty at the end of the year, after serving 11 years as Ventura’s top cop.

Thomas decided to take a medical retirement after learning he will not fully recover from nerve damage in his back that was the result of an off-duty car accident several years ago, the chief said.

“I’ve had a bad back for a number of years and I had surgery two years ago, but I have not recovered,” he said.

A medical retirement will mean less than full retirement benefits for Thomas, who started on the force as a rookie patrol officer in August 1969, he said.

The 51-year-old Ventura resident was promoted through the ranks and has served in nearly every capacity on the force, including investigations, developing departmental budgets and overseeing police recruitment, he said.

Thomas was born and raised in Fresno and graduated from Cal State Fresno in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. He pursued police work at the suggestion of a career counselor. His first and only law enforcement positions have been with the city’s department.

In 1987, Thomas was promoted to chief. During his tenure, he has been credited for a massive crackdown on gang crime, an increase in citizen policing and a gradual decrease in crime since 1994.

City Council members have praised Thomas in the past for his hard-nosed approach to crime, which, by his own admission, has at times bordered on excess.

“My philosophy is get on it and get on it big, even if you overkill a bit,” he said in a March 1997 interview.

Asked what he considered his greatest accomplishment, Thomas said, “I think one of the things I am proudest of is that I am leaving a Police Department that is in excellent shape, that has an excellent relationship with the community and one that does an excellent job.”

But, he said, “I’m retiring a little sooner than I thought I would.”

The chief, who will step down Dec. 15, said he had hoped to stay around long enough to see the completion of a mobile computer system being installed in the force’s patrol cars. The project will be completed in spring 1999.

In retirement, Thomas said, he plans to travel with his wife, Sharon, and spend time with his six adult children and two grandchildren. He also plans to do volunteer work, possibly with boys and girls clubs.

Meanwhile, the city manager’s office was in the process of hiring an executive search firm this week to fill the upcoming vacancy. Thomas said two likely applicants will be the department’s two assistant chiefs, Mike Tracy and Pat Miller.