It took 10 months to find the right one, but Morgan Hill finally
has a new police chief. City Manager Ed Tewes announced Thursday
afternoon that he has hired Bruce Cumming to lead the city
’s police department. Cumming has served as interim chief since
January.
It took 10 months to find the right one, but Morgan Hill finally has a new police chief.
City Manager Ed Tewes announced Thursday afternoon that he has hired Bruce Cumming to lead the city’s police department. Cumming has served as interim chief since January.
“It was an exhaustive procedure,” Tewes said, “but Bruce has the kind of experience and leadership the community is used to. I’m confident we made the right decision.”
Cumming said he was “very happy, proud and pleased” with the appointment.
“When I came as interim chief I never intended to apply for the job, but everyone here has helped me make this decision. I’ve worked with a lot of good people and some bad ones too, and you are the good ones,” he told his officers and staff.
The job carries a salary of $135,000 plus benefits.
Cumming, 58, and a native Californian, retired from the Menlo Park Police Department in 1999 after 11 years as its chief. Before that he had worked his way up through the ranks of the Palo Alto Police Department, leaving as a captain.
He and his wife, Rhonda, have lived in San Carlos for 28 years and have three adult children: a son who is a police officer in Pacifica, another son who is an EMT in Culver City and a daughter who is a beautician in San Jose.
Cumming said he wasn’t sure if they would move to Morgan Hill or if he would continue to commute. The drive from the northern peninsula city is not bad at the moment, he said.
In his official statement released after the announcement, Cumming was enthusiastic about Morgan Hill.
“Morgan Hill is a wonderful town, in fact I think it’s the best kept secret in the Bay Area,” he said. ”I have found the community to be friendly, with a strong sense of history, tradition and vision. The Police Department is one of the finest in the area and I look forward to serving the community and leading the Department forward.”
Both Lt. Terrie Booten and Lt. Joe Sampson said they were pleased with Cumming’s appointment.
“It’s a win-win situation for us,” Sampson said.
Officer Rod Krewson, president of the Police Officers’ Association, said the group had endorsed Cumming.
“We love him,” Krewson said Friday. “He has the experience and knowledge. His door is open to everybody from patrol to sergeants. We like that.”
Several police officers have said privately that they were happy with Cumming as interim chief and would be glad to see him named to the job permanently. Thursday they got their wish.
Cumming took the interim job when former chief Jerry Galvin retired in December after only two years on the job.
“I look forward to working with you for a long time,” Cumming said.
