Civic Leaders Call Veteran Cop Aceves a ‘Natural Choice’ for Police Chief

Civic leaders were universally pleased with Monday’s promotion of La Mesa police Capt. Ed Aceves to police chief, with one calling him “the natural choice.”

Deena While, treasurer/secretary of the La Mesa Village Merchants Association, recalled that his kids played field hockey when hers did.  

“He was at the games supporting the team,” While said via email.  “That’s a great dad and a great man for the job. I think Ed Aceves is the natural choice.  He has been very supportive of our community.  I enjoyed being able to talk with him in passing at car shows and he always greets you with a smile.”

Mary England, president and CEO of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, said she has known Aceves—the sole in-house candidate for police chief—since she came to work for the chamber  four years ago.  

“I have found him to always be professional and willing to work with us on the many challenges that we face, as we produce the annual Oktoberfest,” she said.

Councilman Ernie Ewin has known Aceves since his original term in office in the late 1980s. He pronounced the pick by City Manager Dave Witt a “great choice” and called Aceves, 47, “professional, respected, good insight into our city as a native son.”

Ewin saluted his professionalism—“from his work securing SWAT equipment and vehicles, watching his handling the $#'s with the new police station.”

Asked what his hopes are for the new chief, Ewin said “My expectation is Chief Aceves taking his professional experience and moving ahead addressing community law enforcement wants/concerns given his unique perspectives and leadership skills.”

Councilwoman Ruth Sterling said she was “extremely pleased” by the pick, recalling that she knew him years ago when he was a DARE officer working in the elementary schools.

“Later my experience was to see him working tirelessly with the high school grades in the ‘Every 15 Minutes Program.’  Then again, organizing the conversion and innovative, clever remodel retro of a Frito Lay truck  to a command center vehicle.”

Her hopes for Aceves?

“A long, safe and sound successful police chief career including occasional smiling and lighthearted fun times,” she said.