13 Questions for New King City Police Chief Ron Forgue
Ronald Forgue spent 29 years with the Chicago Police Department before taking over June 22nd as the top cop of King City, population 13,211. Forgue has vowed to restore accountability and transparency to the department following a corruption scandal involving six officers, including the former police chief.
Chief Forgue visited News Channel 5 KION TV today and agreed to a short, let’s get acquainted Q&A:
Any similarities between policing in Chicago and King City?
Policing is policing no matter where you go. I would say the similarities are community relations, for crime…murder is murder, homicide is homicide, obviously. Similarities are gang intended targets. I want to put out there that they are intended targets. They are not drive-bys. They are out fighting for territory.
You’re stepping in after a corruption scandal. When you were considering whether to take the job, did that concern you?
Yeah, it concerned me. It concerned me a lot. However, my internal affairs division background – as I’ve stated before – I looked at this like a challenge. A challenge where I can basically put a corrupt town back on its feet and it really bothered me that they targeted undocumented workers. That’s bothered me the most because this is supposed to be the United States and we’re supposed to be free. People are coming here and working hard and they took property from them. I don’t accept it at all.
Speaking of that corruption scandal, it hurt community relations so how are you going to try and rebuild trust?
We’re rebuilding it now. Our officers are actively engaged and involved with the community. I have been in so many meetings and people have welcomed me. The food is real good. They’ve been making food for me. Which is great! So I think the trust is slowly but surely coming back.
You mentioned, “food” so I have to ask: what’s your favorite food?
What I’m missing is some good chicken. Some fried chicken. But I have to admit the tacos and burritos are great.
King City is a small town with a lot of crime. When you see how it all breaks down, what concerns you most?
The gangs. Gang activity, the unsolved homicides. I have put together a histogram and we’re looking at the patterns and we’re hopefully going to solve these crimes.
Speaking of gangs, you talked about cracking down on them. It’s a complicated challenge to tackle, so how do you plan to go about it?
Inch by inch. Basically, we’re going to put together some stuff – I don’t want to put out there what we’re going to be doing – but we’re going to be doing a lot of covert operations. We’re going to be able to find out who these gangs are, who they associate with and we’re going to dismantle.
How are these gangs making money?
I believe they’re making money through the drug trade. But from what I’ve seen so far is …I’m not seeing a big territorial thing. These gangs are basically just out there and I don’t think they’re making the money people think they’re making, Again, there are some things I can’t disclose right now but this is what I’ve learned about them.
You’ve had a long policing career. What’s your biggest, “Gee, I wish I hadn’t done that or done it differently” thing?
Boy, after 29 years it blends together. (Long pause). I probably would have spent more time at home with the family instead of doing investigations and stuff so it took a lot away from that.
In your career, what are you most proud of?
Surviving (chuckles) and I’m proud that I can go into an area and make friends immediately. I’ve been welcome in King City and I’ve met a lot of good officers and lot of outside good officers, I’m fair, too. Anybody can say that I’m fair.
Do you speak Spanish?
Un poquito. (A little) Not fluent.
Do you live in King City?
Yes I do.
Buy or rent?
I’m renting.
Were you shocked by home prices in California?
Oh, not at all. We got a nice place and I’m happy with it.
For continued coverage and an on-camera interview with Chief Forgue, click below:
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