First day for new Salinas police chief
It’s been nearly two months since former Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin retired. On Monday, the city’s new top cop got started on the job.
First day for the new chief, Adele Frese, included more paperwork than police work, but she did fire her gun as a part of the firearms test.
Still, she said it was mostly a meet and greet.
“I’ve just gone from one task to the next, meeting one person after another, and learning my way around the Police Department,” Frese said.
In the coming days, Frese will not only be meeting those in the department, but also the people who live in Salinas.
“I want to get out there and get to know them,” Frese said. “Listen to them and get some input.”
Frese said those conversations will help her understand the needs of the city and the department.
One of her first major concerns is staffing.
“I just think that it’s time that we all discuss where we are and what this generation looks like, what their expectations are, and most importantly, what the community expectations are,” Frese said.
As police departments across the country are loosening standards to attract new recruits, Frese said some things might have to change.
“Things like drug usage that used to be looked at (are) not necessarily show stoppers for employment hiring in the police ranks. However, it may slow the process a little bit,” Frese said. “The waiting period has been reduced at many agencies. So we will have discussions regarding this and many other items.”
Frese is the first woman to lead the Salinas Police Department, and she says she hopes that causes more women to join.
“At least studies have shown, where you have a strong government represented by women, you also see more women in the ranks,” Frese said.
Frese said one of her meetings this week will be with the Salinas city manager to talk about how the city might handle its immigrant community under a Trump administration.
Officials in Los Angeles and Chicago have pledged they won’t take part in any deportation efforts.
