Seaside swears in new police chief

With dozens of police officers in the Seaside City Council chamber, police Chief Robert Jackson was sworn in Thursday. With almost three decades of experience in law enforcement, many are looking forward to working with him.

“From the short amount of time I’ve been able to meet with him, I can tell he is very knowledgeable, a very genuine and one person. And I believe those are great access for any leader,” Seaside police Cmdr. Judy Veloz said.

Other chiefs from the Peninsula also came to Seaside to show support and meet the top cop, most of them for the first time.

“We’ve already share resources thru the Peninsula regional violence narcotic task force, with the special response unit through the regional emergency coordination center, so we will be working closely together, and I look forward to it,” CSUMB police Chief Earl Lawson said.

During his time as Turlock’s police chief, Jackson led the department through its downsizing. And as police departments along the Central Coast struggle to recruit, Jackson says it’s about maximizing existing resources.

“The challenging part for a chief is to make sure that we maintain the level of expectations of services that the community has grown to expect. And even with cuts and reduced officer numbers,” Jackson said.

But first, he says he wants to get to know the team.

“I need to get to know my staff very well, not just what they do at work, but who they are, what drives them, what keeps them going,” Jackson said.

The chief also said there will be lots of coffee meetings in the months to come as he gets to know his colleagues and the community.