Costa Mesa Chief Retires Amid Tumult

Costa Mesa Police Chief John Hensley announced his retirement Wednesday amid months of controversy over using city police officers to enforce federal immigration laws.

Although the immigration debate has dominated city politics and drawn national attention, some officials said personal reasons and internal dissension over his leadership style might also have been factors.

In an e-mail to police officers, Hensley wrote that he and his wife, Jody, made the decision “after much consideration and most importantly prayer,” but he offered no additional insight. He said he would stay until a successor was named.

The City Council, split over the city’s immigration policy, was divided on what prompted the chief to depart. The policy’s chief advocate, Mayor Allan Mansoor, said, “I don’t want to speak for him, but I know it is not because of the illegal immigration issue.”

But Councilwoman Katrina Foley disagreed. “This is yet another one of the burdens our poor city is suffering as a result of all this chaos. It’s unfortunate that we have to be going through all this turmoil right now. We certainly need a leader in the Police Department during what I think is a very unstable time.”

Councilman Eric Bever pointed to the chief’s style. “I think more than anything that his management style was the biggest issue,” he said. “I don’t believe the council has taken any issue with his performance, nor has the public.

“Our past chief, Dave Snowden, was a very hands-on, affable guy. Hensley is more of a manager, and his management style is different than our past chief, and I believe that some members of the force have difficulty with his management style.”

Councilman Gary Monahan said, “In my discussions with the chief, this has nothing to do with immigration. It has more to do with life decisions.”

The retirement came just days after more than 1,500 people protested the immigration policy in front of City Hall on Saturday. The policy, approved in December, calls for training city police officers to check the immigration status of jailed felony suspects. The policy is similar to one proposed by Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona for his deputies.

The policy, the first in the nation for a city government, immediately met with both community support and opposition in the city of 110,000 people, which is one-third Latino, and across Southern California.

Hensley became the city’s fourth police chief in June 2003. He had been the Cypress police chief. He also served the police departments of Manhattan Beach and Barstow. He once served in the Army and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Pacific Southern University.

Hensley turned 50 on Friday and became eligible for retirement. Some thought that was a major reason for the announcement.

City Manager Allan L. Roeder said the retirement benefits available to Hensley created a disincentive for him to stay. Asked why Hensley retired, he said, “I think it was a combination of factors.... I don’t think it was any one issue, such as the immigration matter.”

Mirna Burciaga, a Costa Mesa restaurant owner and community activist said, “I feel sad. I believe this is a sad moment for Costa Mesa. He’s a fine man.... He’s been out here talking to the community trying to be very clear what the proposal is all about.”

Resident Humberto Caspa, a staunch opponent of the immigration policy, said, “If anyone should be resigning, it’s Mayor Mansoor. He has created so much division. He should leave.”

Police around the state have closely watched Costa Mesa; nearly all oppose using local police to enforce federal law because they think it will inhibit immigrant residents from reporting crime.

“All I can say is he’s been under a tremendous amount of scrutiny and media pressure because of the stance Costa Mesa has taken,” said Santa Ana Police Chief Paul M. Walters. “It’s true any time you’re the first one in the country” to take a controversial action, “the pressures and demands make your job much more difficult.”

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Times staff writers Christopher Goffard, Christine Hanley and Jean O. Pasco contributed to this report.