Glendora police chief named Jewel City top cop

Glendora Police Chief Robert Castro will be Glendale’s next top cop, city officials said Tuesday night, succeeding outgoing Chief Ron De Pompa.

After conducting a nationwide search, City Manager Scott Ochoa said during Glendale’s City Council meeting that Castro had a history of innovation and a dedication to build off of De Pompa’s accomplishments.

“He possessed the experience as a sitting chief [and] the reputation as a progressive” manager, Ochoa said before the council unanimously gave its nod during a surprise announcement.

De Pompa quietly retired in February, but was rehired back in the same job nearly immediately as an hourly employee as officials began the search for his replacement.

Castro’s skills include a knack for obtaining grant funds and the ability to weather financial crises, according to a Glendale news release, important skills given the current economic climate. In Glendora, Castro dealt with 20% personnel reductions but still kept that city with a high level of service, according to the news release.

Castro, 48, climbed the ranks of the Glendora police department, beginning his career there as a police cadet in 1985. He has been chief for that San Gabriel Valley city for three years.

“I take this job very seriously and I understand the great responsibility that you are entrusting to me,” he said.

Castro plans to start his job as Glendale’s 10th police chief on Dec. 16.

-- Brittany Levine, brittany.levine@latimes.com

Follow on Google+ and on Twitter: @brittanylevine.

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