San Fernando Police Chief Steps Down

Dominick Rivetti, the veteran chief of the San Fernando Police Department, retired from the force this week, saying he plans to take a job with the Los Angeles district attorney’s office.

The 52-year-old chief said Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley asked him to work as that office’s liaison to area law enforcement agencies, replacing Joseph De Ladurantey, who held the post under former D.A. Gil Garcetti.

Rivetti joined the San Fernando department in 1970 as an officer and became chief in 1986. He said he would stay on as chief until he starts his new job in early July.

A number of San Fernando city officials praised Rivetti’s work Friday. According to the FBI and the California Crime Index, violent crime has decreased more than 50% in the past five years, a statistic City Manager John Ornelas attributes in great part to Rivetti’s community policing program.

“That and his management are responsible for the drop in crime,” Ornelas said. “He’s been a very positive force in this community. He’s an icon in the community. It’s a big loss for us.”

Ornelas said the city would begin searching immediately for a replacement to head the 60-officer force and would seek Rivetti’s input during the search, which Ornelas estimated would take three to four months.

Rivetti credited the entire city of 25,000 residents for what he said was a general drop in crime during his 31 years on the job.

“San Fernando has a lot going for it,” he said. “We’re not a rich community. Basically, we’re a blue-collar community without a lot of money, but [it’s improved] through its leadership. It’s just a well-managed town.”