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2012 Area Command Meetings

Yes everyone they are back Area Command meetings. For those of you outside the Rialto area reading our blog or here unaware of the program here is its explanation straight from the Rialto PD Website:

The Area Commander Program is responsible for those areas which directly influence the quality of life for the residents and businesses in Rialto. In addition to enforcing the laws of our society, the Police Department believes it is equally important to maintain and develop positive relationships with all members of the community. The Area Commander Program is one of many innovative examples of the Rialto Police Department’s “Commitment to Community.”

For More on it go to http://www.rialtopd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=141

This program is needed and important people need to feel heard and know whats going on in their area. When the program was begun it was awesome people from different departments within the city relayed needed info to the residents and people were able to ask them questions. sometimes department sent just filler people and paid the price by sending someone who could not answer the questions asked and the next meeting the right person was there.

At the programs inception we had Area commanders Lt. Crispin, Lt. Deanda & Lt. Burkholder. The Lt’s went and go out of their way to show people in their perspective communities that they cared and wanted to find solutions to help end or elevate criminal or unpleasant activity in their neighborhood. With some mass retirement forced and of their own choice I have been under the control of Lt. Thompson a much different Lt. and we had a rocky start but found common ground to operate under I respect Lt. Thompson for her service but we find ourselves horn to horn like rival bucks during matting season.

I cannot say enough for the two Lt’s that retired Lt’s Crispin and Burkholder did so much for my family and this community we cannot thank them enough. I modeled my Neighborhood Watch meeting and structure around the way Lt’s Crispin and Burkholder ran their Area Command meeting and their section of the city in which they were responsible. I miss my Neighborhood Watch and the duties that it entailed but no Neighborhood Watch Captain will ever find marketable success when he/she doesnt have the respect or support of the local law enforcement authority.

I will try to make every Area Command Meeting to see how different each is according to the different locations in the city and the two different Area Commanders.

Also look around is anyone from city council there? Dont let them give you the excuse it against the law at least one of them can attend each. Area 1 has lots of people from city government that can attend and should.

Here are som questions we should ask and I will be asking:

*What is the REAL time frame on the completion of the cameras at the remaining parks in Rialto?

*Does Rialto PD use the community policing model? Is there an officer assigned to that detail? If not why?

*What is Rialto PD’s plan to curtail the rise in drug use here in Rialto?

*Are residents able to use the Departments Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/RialtoPD ) to ask about police activity in their area? I.E. Like Redlands PD’s Facebook page?

If you make the meeting, you will hear about:

*New policies and procedures.

*New policies galore.

*New officers hired.

*Promotions coming.

*Neighborhood Watch Command structure will be changing soon.

*Plus I’m sure the new Chief of Police will be discussed.

The Exit of one Chief Ushers the Entry of Another

People I give you the end of one and the beginning of another.

Police Chief Mark Kling will no longer be the chief of police in the city of Rialto.

Chief Kling was a good Chief but in Rialto it’s not hard to do when you see some of the leadership we have resided under over the last 15 years.

I at one time was the Chiefs biggest advocate, when he removed community policing and chased good people into early retirement I was left to pause is this man really who he claims to be?

Chief Kling did his best, but it wasnt enough we needed more.

Will Capitan Farrar be able to fill these shoes? Can he bring TRUE community policing back to Rialto? What are his plans for the future? Are the other 2 Lt’s spots ever going to be filled? Can we still count on Rialto PD being there when we need them?

Only Time will tell, maybe we should ask I’m running for office Baca Jr he is all over this SB Sun Article, do your job baca get out of the lime light.

SB Sun Article Below:

After 5 1/2 years, Police Chief Mark Kling is calling it quits.The veteran police official, with a doctorate in public administration, is going to teach at the undergraduate and graduate level at Riverside’s California Baptist University, retiring from police work after more than 30 years.Kling, 54, said he will be revamping the university’s criminal justice program, will teach within the program and also will teach public administration and political science.”I came here to do a job and I have done that job and it is time to move on,” said Kling, who for six months this year wore the hat of both police chief and city administrator.

His last day as police chief will be Dec. 29.

Kling said he will be replaced by Tony Farrar, who has been employed by the Rialto Police Department for 22 years. During the last five years, he served as captain with the responsibility for the department’s field operations.

Farrar holds a master’s degree in the administration of justice and an MBA.

Kling said that he took no additional salary while serving as interim city administrator, an action that saved the city considerable money.

“It was my way of giving back to the community for their support,” Kling said in an interview Tuesday.

When Kling arrived in Rialto, he walked into a demoralized Police Department that had been slated for elimination a few months before.

A large community outcry kept policing in Rialto under local control instead of under contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

During his tenure, Kling transformed the department, giving it tools to increase productivity and restoring its pride, said City Council member Joe Baca Jr.

“He brought back the gang unit, brought injunctions against gangs and took many other actions that had never been done in this city,” Baca said.

Kling’s tenure, however, was blemished by an embarrassing sex scandal in 2010 when a female employee at a Rialto strip club alleged she and an on-duty officer had sex three times at the Rialto Police Benefit Association’s union hall.

Prior to those allegations becoming public, Kling began installing vehicle locators on all police cars, to allow supervisors to pinpoint where officers are during their shift.

That process was completed in mid-2010.

Earlier this year, a Rialto police officer and an Orange County defense attorney were arrested by FBI agents on bribery charges.

Baca said Kling took swift action against those whose conduct fell short of the department’s standards.

“Chief Kling took personal responsibility for mishaps within the department. He didn’t try to hide anything….One of the things you can’t do as a leader is control what the troops do,” Baca said in an interview Wednesday.

Kling said that his leadership style includes “moving a lot of people out of organizations that probably should have never been there.”

As city administrator, Kling fired a contract employee at the Rialto Municipal Airport after he found documents suggesting financial irregularities there.

“Kling really trained his support staff to become leaders,” Baca said.

By grooming Farrar, he saved Rialto a significant amount of money because the city didn’t have to hire a headhunter to find its next police chief, Baca said.

Kling said he pushed department members to pursue educational opportunities “at every level.”

Studies show there is a correlation between the education level of a police department and how it treats its community, Kling said.

“I have no doubt in my mind that Tony Farrar is the best candidate for police chief, not just here, but anywhere,” Kling said.