How to resolve AdBlock issue? CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake’s new police chief took his oath of office and received a warm welcome from the community at the Clearlake City Council meeting on Thursday evening.
Chief Andrew White, 33, was sworn in and received his new badge as community members and numerous out-of-area law enforcement officials – from agencies in Benicia, Fairfield and Suisun City, among others – looked on.
The council held its meeting not at its usual location, Clearlake City Hall, but at the Clearlake Senior and Community Center in order to accommodate the large crowd and host a reception afterward.
“Today’s a very exciting day,” said Mayor Bruno Sabatier in opening the 18-minute meeting.
Rather than sitting in front of the room, council members were in the audience. Councilwoman Joyce Overton, who also is the senior center’s director, was absent for the event.
“This is an exciting moment for our city as we move forward,” Sabatier told the crowd.
City Manager Greg Folsom, who attended despite a back injury, noted, “This is an important day both for Andrew and the city of Clearlake.”
Folsom said he is excited to have White on the team. “I think we’re building a really strong team here in Clearlake and we’re getting a lot of things done,” he said, noting White comes with glowing recommendations and a technology background.
Philip White, Andrew White’s father, was on hand for the event, and took the opportunity to praise his son.
“There’s not enough you can say about your kids,” he said.
Philip White, who spent 30 years in public service himself – in the fire service, not police work – said his son decided at an early age that he wanted to be in law enforcement.
He said his old sheriff’s reserve uniform was used by his son for a Halloween costume, but then it remained in his son’s closet, tipping him off to the fact that something was going on. Later, he said his son became a crossing guard, an explorer and a cadet.
“Andrew, I’m really proud of you,” Philip White said, noting his son is a team player and forwarding thinking. He also thanked the city.
Tim Mattos, chief of Suisun City Police, said that when he took over his job three years ago, the first call he made was to Andrew White, to ask him to come and be his commander, that department’s second in command.
“Grab on and get ready for this ride,” Mattos told the city, adding that White is one of the hardest working individuals he’s ever met. “He is dedicated to this job.”
Mattos said that the Suisun City Police Department is proud of White even though they're losing him, explaining that it’s part of his growth.
“The city of Suisun and the police department thank you for everything you have done for us,” Mattos said to White, adding, “I am so honored to call you my peer.”
City Clerk Melissa Swanson called Chief White forward to administer his oath. In it, he pledged to support and defend the US Constitution and that of the state of California, against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Afterward, he shook Swanson’s hand and signed the oath document before his wife, Charlotte, came up to pin on his new badge.
White thanked the many people who helped him arrive as the city’s new police chief, including family, his past three chiefs of police – all of them in the room – along with former coworkers and friends, local officials who were on hand to welcome him, including Sheriff Brian Martin and Lake County Fire Chief Willie Sapeta, and the council and city staff.
“Being appointed the chief of police for the city of Clearlake is an absolute honor and privilege,” he said, adding that he recognized it’s a significant responsibility.
He told the council and staff, “You have my commitment to lead with honesty and integrity, ensuring we are responsive to our community, and work with other city departments and community partners to fulfill our strategic plan.”
White asked for the community’s patience as he becomes immersed in how the department works and learns how it interacts with city residents. He committed to ensuring his staff offers the highest quality policing services in a fair and impartial manner in order to continue making Clearlake a safer community.
To the police staff, White committed to provide clear direction, to be fair, to hold them accountable and also to be accountable to them, to challenge them to continually improve and develop, and to provide strong support.
“It is with great respect and pride that I now wear the badge and patch of the Clearlake Police Department,” White said.
White recognized Lt. Tim Celli, who over the last two and a half years had served both as acting and interim chief, and who has made White’s transition into the chief’s job smooth.
In closing the meeting, Sabatier said, “Chief White, welcome to the team.”
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