Police Commander Thankful For Decades of Opportunities in Newark

After nearly three decades with the Newark Police Department, Commander Bob Douglas is retiring.

Douglas’ retirement becomes effective Thursday, and while the department’s public information officer has been a man of few words during his final week, his gratitude toward the department was made clear Monday.

“I’m very appreciative of the city of Newark for affording me all the opportunities in my career,” said Douglas, who has spent the majority of his law enforcement career in Newark.

Douglas joined the in 1983 when he was hired as a police officer. Prior to his time in Newark, Douglas was a police cadet and community service officer in Los Gatos.

Douglas has held many roles during his 28-year career with Newark, including being the department’s first K-9 handler after the K-9 program disbanded in the 1960s, according to a Newark Police Department Bulletin.

Before his K-9 partner Drago retired in 1998, Douglas and Drago served the department together for seven years.

Douglas was honored as Police Officer of the Year in 1998 and 1991, and in 2008, Douglas was promoted to police lieutenant. In 2009, his official title became police commander.

More recently, Douglas was given the Chiefs Challenge Coin of Special Recognition, along with the department’s other commanders. The award recognizes the recipients’ “loyalty to the organization, and tireless efforts in the development and promotion of our Mission, Vision, and Values,” according to department bulletin.

Former Detective Sgt. Mike Carroll has been promoted to take Douglas’ place. His promotional ceremony is scheduled to be held on Wednesday.

Douglas said he is confident the department will be in good hands under the direction of Chief James Leal and the new command staff, which is made up of Carroll and commanders Renny Lawson and Tom Milner.

“I will miss all the great men and women of the department as well as all the people I have met and worked with in City Hall and the community as a whole,” Douglas said.

A commendation for Douglas will be held at Thursday’s City Council meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at , 37101 Newark Blvd.

A brief overview of Douglas' career with the Newark Police Department:

• Douglas joins the Newark Police Department as an officer in November 1983.
• As an officer, Douglas served as a:
  • Field Training Officer
  • Property Crimes/Fraud Detective
  • Reserve Officer Coordinator
  • Citizen Police Academy Instructor
  • PR-24 Baton Instructor
  • Defensive Tactics Instructor
  • Participant of the Police Activities League Youth Golf Program.
  • Douglas was promoted as a police sergeant on February 25, 2002. As police sergeant, Douglas:
    •  Oversaw the Patrol Division
    • Served two terms as detective sergeant
    • Managed the department’s Field Training Program for our new officers for two years
    • Was given the Winter 2002 Police Department Employee of the Quarter Award
    • Was named the City of Newark Pride Awardee in 2006. 
    • Douglas was promoted to Police Lieutenant on Nov. 1, 2008.
    • On Jan. 1, 2009 the position was reclassified into the position of Police Commander.
      • In this role, Douglas oversaw the “Training Division, Recruiting and Hiring Process, Detective Division, Record Division, Dispatch, Internal Affairs, Property/Evidence, Red Light Photo Enforcement and served as the departments Public Information Officer (PIO),” according to the department memo."
    • March 2012: Douglas confirms his retirement
    • April 12, 2012: Douglas' retirement becomes effective.