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The year 2010 will be one of change for the Danville Police Department, as the Town’s top law enforcement official is heading back to the ranks of the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department. At the recent annual Community Service Awards, Police Chief Chris Wenzel was honored for his six-and-a-half years of service to the town.
Danville Mayor Mike Doyle presented the Chief with the award, lamenting the fact that Wenzel would be returning to the Sheriff’s Department on Dec. 31.
“It is an impossible thing to wrap up seven years of service to this wonderful town in only five minutes,” Doyle proclaimed. “I’ve never met anyone in law enforcement held in higher esteem than Police Chief Chris Wenzel.”
A visibly moved Wenzel graciously accepted the award and offered a few words of thanks.
“It’s a great opportunity to come to work in Danville,” he said. “I’ve never seen a council and town staff more involved in making this city what it is.”
Doyle said that Danville was very fortunate that they were able to keep Wenzel longer than was originally intended. Danville contracts out its police services from Contra Costa County and under the terms of the contract the Police Chief rotates out after four years.
Wenzel will return to active duty as a captain with the Sheriff’s Department after the start of the new year. At this time he does not know what his assignment will be. He has been in law enforcement for 24 years, all of it with Contra Costa County.
Town officials say they will not be naming a new chief right away. Town Manager Joe Calabrigo, the person who would be responsible for holding the search and hiring a new chief, has said that they are planning to hold off for the time being.
“We have decided not to begin that process since the town is currently looking at how we provide police services,” Calabrigo explained.
Last April, the town contracted out for a study of how police service is provided. In early November they were given a presentation of the findings, which seemed to indicate that moving from a contract status to providing their own police service may be the most cost effective way for Danville to go.
Council members are continuing to examine the report and have asked for additional information from town staff regarding how taking on such a large scale service would affect government infrastructure, payroll and other areas. As a result, Calabrigo said holding off on naming the new chief would be the prudent move.
“There would be no point to us naming a chief and then three months later saying, ‘Thanks but we’re going to form our own Police Department,'” he stated.
During the interim, Administrative Lt. Mark Williams will be filling the Chief’s role, said Calabrigo. Additional assistance will be provided by the Town’s Emergency Services Director Greg Gilbert, himself a former Danville Police Chief.
While no firm timetable has been set with regards to forming a Danville Police Department, Calabrigo did say that they are hoping to make the decision in the first quarter of 2010.
Well, thats a step in the right direction! It is obvious that we cannot promote from within. Now we need to get rid of the rest of them and get some NEW blood in this town. Great job Mike….. I knew I was going to like you as Mayor…..keep up the good work!
Copy that!
I agree 100% Chris………..it’s pretty pathetic when a motorcycle cop has to give a Danville resident and business owner a ticket for “J” walking if front of his business @ a crosswalk when there was no traffic around. If they need money so bad they should sit down the street at the crosswalk @ Estates Dr. where you take your life in your own hands when you cross. It has been reported numerous times and they choose to do nothing about it. I have never seen a police dept. that gets off on putting their overhead lights on like the danville police…….they are a real joke!!!!!!!!!!
George, if the city needs money so bad it should just get rid of them. Yeah, they wear uniforms, but they are still bullies if not ridiculously inflexible. Can ’em and get better one’s who serve the public. On second thought, it was better here before there was a police department. I’ll bet there isn’t one statistic that proves crime is down since we have DPD.
I don’t think I have ever heard anybody say a positive thing about the danville police. I think everyone feels the same way. They are not bullies, they are flunkies from the C.C.C. Shefiff’s Dept.
I read a comment a few weeks back that someone wrote about them and I agree. You put one of danvilles cops in an Oakland P.D. uniform for one day and they would run home to mommy!!!!!!! They think they are better than everyone else and they are nothing. They have it made. Your right Murphy get rid of them all together. All the other police departments think they are a joke as well.
Hey……I want in on this. If you go to the police dept. website it says that every officer was “handpicked” ???????????????
Now that is scary!!!!!!!!!
Who picked them, Ben Lucas?
i am proud to live in the town of danville and have the danville police department responsible for our safety. it is an exemplary deparment, and every officer is professional and supremely capable. each officer, especially the chief, cares more about the citizens of this town, than i have seen in any other jurisdiction. you should all be grateful that you live here! i am!
Wow, what a bunch of ungratefuls you all are. It is amazing to me how many negative comments are posted here. What does Oakland have to do with a Danville officer. I’m sure if you transplanted an Oakland officer here, then you would start complaining that they are too aggressive and use too much force. There is a law against jaywalking, but since you did it and you are a Danville business owner and Danville resident, then it’s okay? Should Danville PD only give tickets to non Danville residents? Should they stand guard at the borders and only allow Danville residents to enter Danville? Danville PD are the men and women that you are going to call when you need help. And I’m not talking about when you call to complain about the neighbors dog barking too loudly.
Barbara and Cynthia must be the wives of the keystone cops. Whats wrong with a warning for “JAYWALKING”. They are here to serve and protect. I could see if it were one of the town drunks that they allow to stumble around town. I have been in law enforcement and I have lived in many places and most police officers act human and blend in with the community. Maybe it would be best if all the police officers had to live in Danville. I think they forget where their paycheck comes from.
Why are all the firefighters friendly and social…..there is a BIG difference between the police dept. and the fire dept. It’s funny how most people you talk to about our police dept. feel the same way!!!!!! I am proud to live in DANVILLE but I am not proud of the police dept. They need to earn respect!
George – you’re and idiot. Last time I checked Jaywalking was illegal. Here’s a clue – the red hand flashing means DON’T CROSS and the little green guy means CROSS. So, you’re either too stupid to know the difference between these two signals, or too lazy to wait your turn. Either way don’t blame the police for enforcing the law and doing their job. Danville is a safe place because the police department is proactive. Last time I checked residents and business owners have to obey the law like everyone else. Obviously, a self-absorbed narcissist like yourself feels you are entitled to do whatever you want – get a clue. If you don’t want to live in a community where the police have the time to actually enforce the laws, then maybe you should man up and move to Oakland. As for me – I support DPD all the way. Thanks for making Danville a safe place to raise a family.
I Think it’s more about money than serving and protecting
Danville is a relatively crime free safe community with no cops so …
Why are there so many cops out on Friday and Saturday night…. they are almost everywhere
and why can’t they give a warning from time to time ?
They in my opinion create more hostility than peace in this community
To George, Greg and other morons complaining about the Danville PD: Are you stoned or just stupid? Guess what? There is plenty of crime and drugs in Danville. Teenagers plus alcohol is a big problem or are you all just blind to whats happening all around you? Wasn’t there a a young man murdered recently? Fine just go on believing that there’s no crime in Danville and the cops are worthless. Feel free to sleep with your doors and windows unlocked. But next time you need help when you have a prowler, something stolen or have a missing child, call a hippee.