First in a series
[img]2543|right|Scott Bixby||no_popup[/img]A month ago, the City Council formally appointed hometown boy Scott Bixby, the obvious and popular choice, interim police chief, upon the retirement of Don Pedersen after eight years in office.
“Interim chief” in this case is rather like saying that Mr. Obama was appointed interim President between the last Republican administration and the next one. He is the President. Mr. Bixby, 54 years old, looks, acts and is perceived as Chief Bixby, fixture in the Police Dept. for 35 years.
Spring may or may not be over when the City Council moves to make the tall, rangy Mr. Bixby’s selection permanent.
“It is Scott's job to lose,” a City Hall source said this morning.
Question: How has life changed, personally and professionally, since his appointment took effect on April 14?
“Personally, I don’t get a whole lot of sleep, as much as I used to. The sleep I do get is not as good as it used to be,” he said with a grin.
“That’s a good thing because it’s an excited kind of interruption of sleep. I am excited about the job. My focus is a little larger than it used to be even though as the assistant chief I felt I had a pretty good focus. It’s just larger now. It increases with every step up you take, with every higher rank, your views have to be a little bit broader.
“So these things go through your mind. You are thinking about them. You want to make sure you are doing a good job. You want to make sure you are being all things to all the people you need to be those things to.
“It weighs on you, and obviously it interrupts your sleep a little. But,” said Chief Bixby, “it’s a good thing.”
(To be continued)
