City Manager Rick Cole Appoints Cynthia Renaud to Head SMPD

Those of us who've live in Santa Monica for a while have seen new police chiefs come and go, about every 5 years in fact. That way they take home around $2 million or so, and max out their pension benefits. Undeniably, Chief of police in this town a tough job, made tougher by the massive prison release that resulted from Democratic dominance of California politics, and prop 57.

Some local residents have dubbed the Expo Line "The Crime Train" on social media. I've noticed that most of the recent burglaries on ritzy Montana Avenue were in fact committed by men in SUV's. But anyway, here's the City Press Release on the new chief of police, and may she be successful in her job. We had to tone down the fawning just a little bit, to save space:

City Manager Rick Cole named Cynthia Renaud as the next Santa Monica Police Chief. Renaud, police chief of Folsom, California for the last seven years, led the police force in both property and violent crime reduction during her tenure.

Chief Renaud served in the Long Beach Police Department for 20 years before taking the chief post in Folsom.

"The job of Police Chief is all about character and leadership," said City Manager Rick Cole. "Chief Renaud is a nationally respected law enforcement leader who spent the first twenty years of her outstanding career in Southern California. She will hit the ground running to address public safety challenges in Santa Monica. The selection process was a rigorous one that resulted in someone who understands and practices 21st Century policing – using technology, data and community partnerships to fight crime and the fear of crime – and build trust that Santa Monica's Police Department will be fair, equitable, constitutional, humane and effective. In Chief Renaud we are getting a leader who will lead and empower the sworn and civilian staff of SMPD to enhance their reputation as the 'benchmark of excellence' for law enforcement in our region."

"The job of Police Chief is all about character and leadership," said City Manager Rick Cole. "Chief Renaud is a nationally respected law enforcement leader who spent the first twenty years of her outstanding career in Southern California. She will hit the ground running to address public safety challenges in Santa Monica. The selection process was a rigorous one that resulted in someone who understands and practices 21st Century policing – using technology, data and community partnerships to fight crime and the fear of crime – and build trust that Santa Monica's Police Department will be fair, equitable, constitutional, humane and effective. In Chief Renaud we are getting a leader who will lead and empower the sworn and civilian staff of SMPD to enhance their reputation as the 'benchmark of excellence' for law enforcement in our region."

The top outcome areas set forth for the new chief are:

· Lower crime

· Positively impact homelessness

· Foster relationships and collaboration with both our residential community and our business community

· Empower and energize staff of the Police Department and work towards fostering succession planning at all levels

· Collaborate well with our fellow City departments in order to accomplish the overall mission of the City of Santa Monica

"I am so fortunate to be selected as Santa Monica's next police chief and join in your progressive efforts to embrace community while encouraging a healthy, holistic lifestyle that considers the wellbeing of all," said Chief Cynthia Renaud. "I look forward to meeting with, connecting with and hearing from all Santa Monicans about what impacts their daily lives and how the Police Department can be part of the overall city team working to serve their needs. I understand the pressing and vexing challenges facing this wonderful community and I intend to immediately partner with my department, fellow City departments and those we serve to address crime and be a productive part of the stakeholder group fighting to reduce homelessness and find long-term solutions for those in need."

Chief Renaud is the 3rd Vice President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). She has also served on the Law Enforcement Executive Committee of the United States Attorney, Eastern District of California. She is the President of the Central Sierra Police Chiefs' Association and is a member of the California Police Chiefs' Association where she was appointed to the CLETS (California Law Enforcement Telecommunication System) Advisory Committee by California Attorney General Kamala Harris.

In her new role, Chief Renaud will oversee 460 personnel with an annual operating budget of $86.6 million. The Santa Monica Police Department has several divisions: administrative services, operations, criminal investigations, crime analysis, and strategic services, which includes the Homeless Liaison Program, traffic services, animal shelter and custody services.

Upon successful completion of Police Officer Standards and Training (POST-required) hiring process, Chief Renaud will join the City team at the end of April with an annual salary of $265,440.