Capt. Ed Aceves Is an Exceptional Choice to Become Police Chief

Editor's note: Cliff Resch, La Mesa police chief from 2001 to 2004, shared his thoughts on the next chief in response to a query from La Mesa Patch.

To the editor:

I am aware that Ed Aceves is the only in-house candidate to apply for Al Lanning’s job as chief. I had the pleasure of promoting Ed to lieutenant along with Allen White shortly after I became chief at La Mesa and he was a very good selection at that time.

As I have mentioned before, I truly believe the Police Department and the City of La Mesa deserve the absolute BEST person they can get as the chief of police. However, unless there is a real compelling reason to reach outside of the agency, I feel the city manager should make his selection from within.

That being said, and at this particular time, I believe there is a VERY good candidate in the wings. Ed Aceves is an exceptional choice when you look at the qualifications that are desirable for this position. 

His educational qualifications are solid. He has a bachelor’s degree and is halfway through his master’s degree program. He has also attended the FBI’s National Academy some time ago.

Ed has lived in La Mesa most of his life, attended school there, been a member of the Police Department for over 26 years, raised his family in La Mesa, been a member of clubs and community organizations, coached in youth athletic programs and in general knows the City of La Mesa like no other candidate could possibly.

Is there any question this man loves the city and wants to continue being a major part of its governmental infrastructure?

I know you are aware Ed was project manager for the new police facility and what a great job he did. Having been involved in two projects like this, I know what a major undertaking it was. This required the skills of a leader, a politician and a nursemaid all rolled into one. Ed did an outstanding job.

Some of the things I most admire in Ed that I saw early on was his ability to be creative and work to accomplish the goals that were difficult in achieving. Examples of this are when I asked him to put together a proposal for a communications vehicle for the police department by using an absolute minimal amount of tax dollars.

Working with his staff and community members, he utilized grant proposals, donations and a small amount of budgeted funding to accomplish this task. Along the way, he sought my advise, approval and guidance only when it was necessary.

He ran with the ball and the end result was a viable operational unit the department was able to use at emergency or special events.

Shortly following this, Ed wanted to obtain a SWAT van for the SWAT team that would be able to transport SWAT officers to high-risk scenes and use for officer or citizen rescue if the need arose. When he broached the subject with me, I informed him we had no budget for this, but I would allow him the latitude to try and do this in the same manner as the other vehicle.

Ed, working with his staff, was able to get a “retired” armored car taken out of service, have it retrofitted to meet the team’s needs and once again accomplish the goal. The cost to the taxpayer was an absolute minimum.

I point these examples out to show the level of creativity, tenacity and ingenuity he showed in accomplishing these endeavors. He did this as collateral duties while maintaining his daily responsibilities. He saved the city hundreds of thousands of dollars and developed two pieces of exceptionally important equipment that we otherwise could not afford.

These are just two small examples of the type of work effort he would put out that involved tremendous leadership skills at the highest levels.

Ed was one of the key leaders I could truly count on during my tenure as chief. If I asked him to get something done, there was no whining or sniveling, complaining or backstabbing. He got it done.

There is a saying that states: “You can’t be a good leader unless you know how to follow.” I know Ed has done his time as a soldier and a middle manager. I believe he is more than ready and deserving to take over and lead the police department.

More importantly, I know the employees would like to see Ed Aceves promoted to chief of police of La Mesa. His selection will offer a continuity and the ability to hit the ground running from day one that no other candidate can offer.

If the city manager, City Council and mayor are looking for the best candidate to become their next chief of police, I think Ed Aceves is their man.
 
Cliff Resch, Poway