The following is a message to the Redwood City Community of behalf of Chief JR Gamez:
I have greatly enjoyed every single moment I have served as the Chief of the Redwood City Police Department, and I will miss the agency and its people immensely.
It was my goal as Police Chief to ensure the Redwood City Police Department and its personnel, were the best trained, best equipped and best led police agency in the nation. I had the opportunity to promote and hire outstanding personnel to assist me to ensure we achieved that goal. Our team has done phenomenal work. The Redwood City Police Department is a proud group, and I am proud to have worn the uniform with distinction.
Over the last six years we have significantly decreased violent and property crimes and developed internationally recognized community policing programs to benefit our residents. There have been many innovative community policing programs that have been implemented to engage with all members of our diverse community. Programs such as Adopt-A-School, Coffee with Cops, Town Halls, Spanish Facebook Page, English and Spanish-Citizens Academies, Parent Project, Homeless Outreach, and the creation of our Downtown Services Unit are a few of the community building programs that have fostered a sense of trust with our citizens and police force.
Due to an existing medical condition, it is with deep regret and sadness that I have accepted that it is time to listen to my doctors and retire. I plan on focusing on my health and spending time with family. I conclude my law enforcement career with over 31 years of public service. My time in Redwood City has been the most rewarding in my career. I have had the opportunity to build friendships with many members of our community that will last a lifetime.
I thank the amazing community of Redwood City for all of their support. About six years ago, the residents of Redwood City welcomed me with open arms and it was my mission to ensure that we provided our citizens with exceptional police services. I thank Mayor Seybert, as well as all of our past and present council members and mayors, for their unwavering support of public safety. Thank you for listening to my message, relative to police staffing, and how important it is to ensure we have enough officers to deliver essential police services to our very deserving and growing community. I also want to thank our City Manager, Melissa Stevenson Diaz, for her leadership and trust to allow us to become one of the most innovative and respected police departments.
I would also like to thank our former City Manager, Dr. Robert Bell, for giving me the opportunity to serve the Redwood City community. A special thank you to all of the city department heads and city staff for allowing me to work hand in hand with you to share in providing services to an outstanding community.
Last, but not least, I wish the very best to the police officers as well as our non-sworn police personnel that comprise the Redwood City Police Department. They have a very difficult job. I love, respect and admire them for risking their lives every day to protect the members of our community. Our police officers and staff truly care for this community.
May God bless Redwood City and the Redwood City Police Department. Thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve as your police chief.
For the City's News Announcement go here:
http://www.redwoodcity.org/Home/Components/News/News/2394/874
