Jan 22, 2004

Street Talk by Shari Kaplan

Rob Davis of Almaden Valley was sworn in earlier this month as San Jose's new Chief of Police. What skills or attributes do you feel are important for a police chief to have, and what do you think Davis' top priorities should be in his new role? (Asked at Almaden Center)

"I think a chief should have prior police experience, maybe from working on the street. A chief should be promoted from within so he knows what it's like [for officers]. I think he should be honest and have integrity. And he shouldn't have a need to accept favors, because then people will expect something in return. I'm not sure about priorities; because we live in Almaden and are kind of sheltered, we don't really see or think about crime out here."

Walter Wikstrom, 55
Almaden Valley
Retired parcel delivery driver

"I know quite a few police officers. They sometimes have their own way of doing things and don't always listen to people. I'd encourage the new chief to make sure the people under him pay more attention to the 'people on the street,' and be more sensitive to people's concerns. Anyone in that position must have strong leadership skills as well. And he should be really community oriented, not just a 'business officer.'"

Robert Hamilton, 16
Almaden Valley
High school student

"Honesty is definitely number one for a police chief, or any public figure. He should also be fair and understanding. Being firm is also important—he needs to be able to make a decision and then stick to it. I think gangs need to really be looked at, to see what the problem is. We don't have a big problem in this area, but something needs to be done about gangs."

Joyce Clarke, 52
Almaden Valley
Office manager

"Commitment, fairness and honesty! These are the big traits that any police chief would need to have. As for priorities, the first thing the chief will have to do is 'clean house.' I've heard a lot of complaints from people lately about how rough the police have gotten at times. The last thing we need is for someone to be afraid to call the police."

Billy Long, 23
San Jose
Video store clerk

"A police chief needs to have a strong stomach and very calm nerves. Any police officer has to be that way, because any day they could find themselves being shot at. A chief should be brave, too. I think the first thing the new chief should focus on is gang violence, or any violence, for that matter, including domestic violence."

Elin Vanderstroom, 56
Almaden Valley
Self-employed

"Aside from his education, a chief needs to be an experienced police officer and ideally be promoted from within. He needs to be supported by his own men. It's difficult to say about priorities. The politics of this town in the last 20 years are kind of messed up. Politics has reduced the independence of the police chiefs. The chief is basically owned by the City Council. Politics transcends justice sometimes."

Dick Hesenflow, 65
Almaden Valley
Self-employed