Indisputably, this will be one of Mr. Vera’s most crucial footprints.
Two years ago this spring, the iconic Mr. Vera captained the campaign and bulldogged the selection of his very close friend John Montanio as chief. Competitors fell by the wayside the way a pebble bounces off of the Empire State Building.
Beneficial for Both
During the new chief’s abbreviated tenure, both parties benefited heavily from their mutual relationship that dates back more than twenty-five years.
When Mr. Montanio shortly decided to cash in his pension and leave town this past autumn, the talk was that Mr. Vera would not have a horse in the next race for chief.
The talk, of course, was wrong. Mr. Montanio made it known that he wanted Capt. Cerres Black to succeed him. It is believed that Mr. Black, the morning-line favorite, is within one vote on the City Council of the promotion of his life.
If true, this would give him a huge edge over any rival who still would need the full complement of three votes.
Mr. Vera discourages such speculation. “Depends on who the candidates are,” he told thefrontpageonline.com.
At what point do friendship and politics diverge in Mr. Vera’s universe? How deep does the mayor’s presumed commitment to his old pal Mr. Montanio run? Under what circumstances would the mayor shift his considerable influence and vote to another contender?
The in-house field for Police Chief is so crowded that there are almost more candidates than non-candidates around the Police Station.
They include Asst. Chief Hank Davies, Lt. Dean Williams, Officer Jim Raetz and Capt. Black plus a veteran has filed papers although his identity is being closely held. Capt. Scott Bixby was considering entering the race.
The filing deadline was two days ago.
Burck’s Report Card
Interim Chief Bill Burck, who is receiving excellent marks from his officers, decided not to become a candidate for the permanent position.
Neon lights are not necessarily attached to any hometown name since the complete list officially only is known to the Sacramento head-hunting firm of Bob Murray & Associates.
“Unlike Montanio,” a source told thefrontpageonline.com,“Burck is getting back to basics as the chief. He is making it fun to be an officer. It was crap under Montanio. This is the way it used to be under Cooke (who retired two years ago last November).
“For a change, the environment is relaxed. Burck is charismatic. He is very approachable. He lets the guys know that they have his support. It’s like we are a team again.”
For some officers, the Cerres Black Watch has become a serious hobby. Is he acting overconfident? Underconfident? Is he giving off any clues?
Most commonly, sources say, he is seen in quiet, some say mysterious, conversation with his longtime friend Lt. Harvey Bailey, another recent promotee.
“Remember how it was when you were in school?” said a source. “You would always see the same two people talking to each other. All the time. That’s the way Cerres and Bailey are.”
They form a fascinating pair, watchers say, in part because they represent polar opposites in the Police Dept. For different reasons, both men are regarded as isolated from the mainstream of the department, “Cerres because he chooses to be, Harvey because he is shunned.”
As the political favorite to become the next Police Chief, Mr. Black represents the top tier. In popularity, say insiders, Mr. Bailey rates at or near the bottom. His wife, Jan, was murdered twelve years ago Christmas Eve in a case that remains naggingly unsolved.