Incoming Police Chief to Give Up Trustee Post

At the city manager’s request, Police Cmdr. Bob Gonzales will resign as a trustee for the Ventura County Community College District in order to become police chief, officials said Monday.

Gonzales, 48, was chosen for the chief’s job a week ago in a surprise announcement by City Manager Peter Cosentini. Gonzales said he will meet with Cosentini on Wednesday to iron out job conditions and to sign a contract.

The commander said he will resign from the college board and that he had been asked to do so in order to give the city his full attention as chief. Gonzales said he regrets not being able to remain on the board, a post he was elected to more than two years ago.

“My primary commitment is to the Police Department. It always has been and always will be,” Gonzales said.

The commander said he did not know when he would resign from the college board and inferred that his resignation date would be a topic of discussion with Cosentini. Gonzales’ term on the college board expires in November 2000.

In the college post, Gonzales represents Santa Paula, Ojai, Piru, Fillmore and Camarillo.

The job condition is the latest in a series of hurdles Gonzales, a Santa Paula native and 26-year veteran of the force, has been asked to clear before becoming chief.

Cosentini offered the job to two outsiders first, both of whom declined.

Gonzales will replace Police Chief Walt Adair, who will retire April 30. Gonzales will earn $82,971.