Re “Chief Bixby. How Does It Sound? Council Makes Call This Afternoon”
[img]2543|left|Scott Bixby||no_popup[/img]Now that the City Council unanimously has endorsed outgoing Police Chief Don Pedersen’s recommendation to be the interim chief, only the calendar, and maybe no rivals, stand between Asst. Chief Sctt Bixby’s day-old promotion and his permanent election.
The Council did not dawdle yesterday afternoon, in closed session, in certifying Mr. Pedersen’s choice before he goes downtown to join the staff of Los Angeles County’s new Inspector General, Max Huntsman, to stand watch over the Sheriff’s Dept.
Council members – including freshly re-elected Mayor Jeff Cooper and Jim Clarke – anointed Mr. Bixby with speed that would have impressed his backers, had they been permitted to peer through a window into the proceedings.
When Mr. Bixby returns from an out-of-town law enforcement conference he will sit down with the city’s Human Resources Dept. to finalize details of his tenure.
There are no indications a search process will be under taken. It does not appear that Council members think it is necessary to launch a dog-and-pony scenario.
“He will go from rank to another,” said Councilman Andy Weissman, “and presumably a corresponding salary adjustment from wherever he currently is to whatever the pay for police chief is.
“There isn’t a contract. There wasn’t with Don. There won’t be with Scott. He is an at-will employee.”
During the present interim period, Mr, Weissman said, “the Council will have the opportunity to evaluate his performance and make a decision whether a permanent appointment is appropriate.”
Is it possible no other candidates will be interviewed?
“It is possible,” Mr. Weissman said. “We haven’t reached that conclusion. I imagine if he performs capably, as we expect, he would be the logical choice for the permanent position.”
