Chief Robertson Accepts Similar Job in Bay Area

Former Police Chief John R. Robertson has accepted a job as the top cop in the Bay Area city of Newark, although he said he will continue to pursue legal action against his former employers in Orange.

“There are several reasons I was attracted to Newark,” Robertson said Monday. “One was that they understood the need for me to continue with the litigation against Orange and they support that.”

Robertson, who said his legal filings should be made soon, was fired from his job in February by a divided City Council. City Manager David L. Rudat had recommended the action, charging that Robertson had been insubordinate and showed bad judgment during the Police Department’s investigation of embezzlement allegations involving the city’s trash and recycling companies.

Councilmen Dan Slater and Michael Alvarez said Robertson was being “railroaded” for uncovering corruption at City Hall and voted against the move.

Newark City Manager Al Huezo said he was impressed by Robertson’s professionalism. “He is a man of high integrity and character,” he said.

While Newark is a small city of about 43,000, the population is expected to change as high-tech computer firms cement the community to the Silicon Valley, Huezo said.

He hired Robertson for the police chief job, which pays $126,000 per year, largely because of his commitment to community policing, he added. “I like his philosophy of strong ties between the department and the community,” he said.

Robertson said he believes he will be a good partner with Huezo, who has been city manager since 1996.

“It is a genuine concern of this man for the citizens he serves,” Robertson said. “It is so refreshing. I’m looking forward to going to a smaller city where I can get to know everybody and be more hands-on.”

Robertson will start his new post Aug. 10.