Crime & Safety
City Manager Theofan Steps in as Police Commissioner
Lt. Jack Radin empowered with full authority over department.
After Police Commissioner Thomas Sofield Sr. officially retired on Nov. 29, City Manager Charles Theofan assumed his position and gave Lt. Jack Radin, the highest-ranking member in the Long Beach Police Department, full authority to take on day-to-day operations of the LBPD.
In a Dec. 1 memo, Theofan notified the department and city department heads of his decision that he said was effective immediately, the Long Beach Herald reports.
Patch reported last week that Sofield will retire with a $500,000 lump sum payout, based on accrued sick and vacation days over his more than 30 years in the department, which must be paid within 60 days of his notice of retirment in early November. During an emergency meeting Nov. 20, the Long Beach City Council voted to approve a collective $4.5 million to cover the retirement payouts of Sofield and potentially three other police personnel, as well as to cover a shortfall in the payroll for December.
Find out what's happening in Long Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Democratic administration that will take control in January is expected to appoint a new police commissioner.
* Updated at 1:40 p.m. 12/7/11.
Find out what's happening in Long Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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