Sixth in a series
Re “Chief Has Been an Agent of Change”
Regardless of how some officers under his command feel, especially after the no-confidence vote a month ago, Police Chief Don Pedersen says he belongs to a new generation of chiefs who think differently from earlier generations.
There may not be a clean line of separation in some instances. But as Mr. Pedersen vows to preserve his four-year-old job this Culver City summer while staring into the teeth of opposition, his academic and philosophical stances divide him from many seat-of-the-pants oldtimers.
“I really do believe in group decision-making and participative management,” the Police Chief said.
“That is not typically the way police departments have been run in the past.
“For the last 10 years (spanning his chiefing career) this transition has been going on. The departments I know are very open, they talk to people and they work on issues. It’s just the way it is now.”
Would you agree that this style of running a police department is a reflection of your personality — the opposite of thundering and fist-pounding — as it is generational?
“Could be personality. It also is a willingness to work with the community on issues, to be out there and listen to them about what they believe is important. I try to instill that into our department.
“You need to work with the community because that is who we work for, and we need to take care of them.”
Is there a side of you that your officers and the public seldom or never see?
“No, because what you see here is what you get. I try not to take myself too seriously although I am in a deadly serious business. I know when to turn that on and turn it off. I would like to have the organization here have a good time when they come to work. That is really important. But when they are out there taking care of business, they need to do it in a smart fashion. That is the way I tend to operate.
“I will tell you that I am very active around Los Angeles County on different issues.
“As far as me personally, I am what I am. I enjoy spending time with my family (wife and two teenage children), and I always will.”
Do you put away issues quickly and cleanly, then move on?
“No, I tend to be my own worst critic. Always have been. I constantly evaluate what I do. I absolutely internalize issues and think about them. I always am very careful before I act. I always think about things. I take my time. I am not one to do knee-jerk reactions. Not my style. “
(To be continued)
