SAN DIEGO (TOSD)–New San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman told the LGBT community on Monday, April 28, that while some officers made a “terrible decision to discredit our badge,” she is committed to rebuilding the public’s trust and working closely with all of the city’s communities.
“It does take years upon years to build up the public’s trust, and in just seconds that trust can erode away,” Zimmerman told a neighborhood forum at the San Diego LGBT Community Center in Hillcrest.
She said she would work to build a “culture of cooperation between our police department and all of our communities” and implement policies that “treat everyone with dignity and respect.”
Zimmerman, who has been on the job just two months, has been meeting with community groups around the city. Chiefs of every police unit were in attendance, lining the back and side walls of the center.
The department has been shaken in recent months by allegations of sexual misconduct and other wrongdoing involving a handful of officers. Chief William Landsdowne resigned in February, and the city asked the Justice Department for an assessment of the department.
Zimmerman said her department has already taken significant steps to address concerns, including the use of body cameras, dual escorts for women in custody, community surveys and new professional standards. In addition, she said she looked forward to the Justice Department’s assessment for more improvements to implement.
“We believe we can do better, and that’s why we welcome the assessment,” said the 31-year veteran of the San Diego force.
Asked what she sees as her biggest challenge, Zimmerman cited recruitment and retention, with half of the force eligible for retirement in the next four years.
City Councilman Todd Gloria introduced Zimmerman and also answered questions. He told the crowd that it was Zimmerman’s birthday, and the event ended with a chorus of “Happy Birthday.”
The forum attracted over 100 people, and featured sausage sandwiches donated by the nearby restaurant Salt & Cleaver.
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Preceding reprinted from The Times of San Diego.
My trust of the SDPD has not been shaken. Though, I have been critical more often than correct. As a 76 year old San Diego native (second generation), I’ve seen worst.