Police Chief Designee to Keep 2nd Post

Reversing a previous decision, City Manager Peter Cosentini told Police Cmdr. Bob Gonzales on Thursday that he will not have to resign from the board of the Ventura County Community College District to be hired as the city’s new chief.

Earlier this week, Gonzales was told he would have to resign the elected trustee position if he wanted to take over as chief when Walt Adair retires next month.

“He [Cosentini] rethought it, and as long as my focus is the department, he’s willing to take that off the table,” said Gonzales, 48.

Gonzales will reduce the amount of time he spends on community college business by stepping down as chairman of the state legislative finance committee and leaving the construction subcommittee.

The 26-year veteran of the city’s police force was named to be the next chief in a surprise announcement last week at a City Council meeting. Cosentini had offered the job to two outsiders first, both of whom declined.

Cosentini and Gonzales have been working out terms of Gonzales’ new position.

Gonzales said Thursday he is thankful to be able to finish out the year and a half left in his term on the college panel. “I think he’s looked at the bigger picture, not that he wasn’t before,” Gonzales said. “I know what his needs are. This is my priority. God, family and my police work.”

Chancellor Philip Westin said Thursday afternoon that he is confident Gonzales will be able to manage both trustee and chief responsibilities.

“Bob has already been that kind of person,” Westin said.

Still at issue is whether Gonzales will work as an “at-will” employee, meaning he would not have a contract and the city could fire him without cause. That condition would be in keeping with a decision the City Council made several months ago to hire all department heads at-will.

Gonzales, who will earn $82,971 yearly, met with Cosentini on Thursday afternoon to discuss final issues.