Council to discuss interim chief contract

By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | September 11, 2009 12:01

FAIRFIELD - The city could soon have a new top cop, albeit a temporary one.

The Fairfield City Council is expected to approve a deal with retired Police Chief Larry Todd to head the local department on an interim basis until a permanent chief is hired.

A contract with Todd is included on the City Council agenda for Tuesday under the consent calendar, which typically consists of items that are approved without comment.

As of Sept. 4, Deputy Police Chief Paul Bockrath began serving as the acting chief of the Fairfield Police Department. He will hold that position until an interim chief is hired and starts work. The terms of the proposed deal with Todd would have him start as interim chief on Sept. 21.

Fairfield hasn't started advertising for a permanent police chief yet, City Manager Sean Quinn said. He expects Todd will assist him in setting up a hiring process and searching for candidates. The city went through a nine-month search to hire former Police Chief Kenton Rainey.

'The expectation is one of the things he will be working on is helping me find a new chief,' Quinn said. 'As fast as we can move, we will move. But even moving very quickly, it is a four- to five-month process.'

As proposed, the contract would pay Todd $14,992 per month in salary, $1,000 per month for RV hookup costs and $450 per week -- about $1,800 per month -- in 'reasonable living expenses.'

However, Todd wouldn't receive any retirement or medical benefits from the city. He already receives those though the California Public Employees Retirement System.

Under the terms of his retirement from the city of Los Gatos, Todd cannot work more than 960 hours -- about six months of full-time employment -- in a given year. The limitation is standard under CalPERS.

Rainey is under contract with the city, but is on paid administrative leave until the end of 2009, under the terms of his arrangement with the city of Fairfield.

Under the terms of his resignation, the four months of leave pay would be cut short if Rainey finds a new job.

The unusual terms of the deal -- unlike any others that departing city officials have been offered -- have led some to conclude his departure was forced. Rainey himself has said it was 'mutual.'

Todd began his career in West Covina in Southern California, where he worked for 15 years as an officer, sergeant and lieutenant, and then worked for two years as a captain for the Pleasanton Police Department. He was hired as chief of the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department in 1988 and served until retirement in 2002.

Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.