No firm date set for departure
When the news came out that Morgan Hill Police Chief Jerry Galvin was retiring, he didn’t intend for the community to think this meant he was leaving immediately.
“What started as a private conversation between the city manager (Ed Tewes) and myself became public when I decided I wanted to tell my officers also,” Galvin said. “The city manager and I discussed that some time after the first of the year, we would discuss a definite date for my retirement.”
His decision comes, said Galvin, after much consideration.
“When I first got here, the plan was to be here five years,” he said. “But personal events and professional events have really altered those plans.”
Galvin took over the department from former Police Chief Steve Schwab on Jan. 2, 2002.
The loss of family members and an injury to his knee, which has lead to months of physical therapy, are part of the equation.
“Physically, I can’t perform as well as I did last year, that’s the reality,” he said. “Then there have been personal events in my family … I also consider that I’m 61 years old, I have spent 40 years as police officer, 28 years as police chief, with a leave of absence for the Vietnam war, and I have 30 years in the retirement system.”
Galvin, who earns between $107,940 and $134,940 per year as police chief, with the possibility of an additional 2.5 percent in performance pay, said he wants to do what he can to insure a smooth transition. He also wants to see the department move into its new home, a building at 162000 Vineyard Blvd. The facility is scheduled to be ready for occupancy by spring or summer 2004 after remodeling is complete.
“I’m also bringing a new lieutenant on board, Joe Sampson, and I want to help him become oriented in the department,” Galvin said. “We also have new lieutenant in Terrie Booten, and I am pleased with the way the department is shaping up.”
In his short time as chief, Galvin said he has enjoyed holding the position and believes some positive things have happened in the department.
“I’ve enjoyed doing what I’m doing, I’ve enjoyed working with city manager,” he said. “This (retiring before five years in the position) is something that I had not planned for. My wife and I enjoy living in Morgan Hill.
“I think some of the positive things I’ve been involved with are securing the new building, the reorganization of the department and getting the grant for the second SRO (school resource officer).”
Tewes confirmed that there was no date yet for the chief’s retirement. He said that there would be an opportunity for input from community groups and city employees when it is time to select a new police chief, just as there was when Galvin was hired. He also praised the work Galvin has done.
“Jerry’s done a good job bringing a sense of accountability for community policing to the department,” he said. “He has done a good job of reaching out to other agencies, including the school district. However, it is much to premature to be providing obituaries.”
Galvin came to Morgan Hill from Albuquerque, N.M. He was hired by Tewes from among three finalists for the job.
Galvin and Tewes knew each other when they both worked for the city of Clovis in Fresno County. Galvin was police chief when Tewes become city manager.
The chief was born in San Francisco, raised in San Mateo and spent most of his life in the state. He has extended family in Northern California.
