Pomona council appoints new police chief

POMONA - Nine months after taking the helm of the Pomona Police Department on an interim basis, David Keetle has been appointed the city's new police chief.

Mayor Elliott Rothman made the announcement at the start of Monday night's City Council meeting after informing those in attendance the council voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Cristina Carrizosa abstaining.

"Dave Keetle is our new police chief," Rothman said. "Ladies and gentlemen, join me in welcoming the new chief of the city of Pomona."

Keetle, who had been assistant chief since September 2006, took over as interim chief in December following the retirement of former chief Joe Romero.

The newly named chief did not comment at the meeting. He was out of town for a training session on Tuesday, and unavailable for comment.

City Manager Linda Lowry said Tuesday that Keetle is a self-starter who has already begun taking steps to improve areas of the Police Department.

"Dave is the consummate professional," Lowry said, adding his experience and education have all prepared him for this new phase of his career.

Keetle, 54, is a Pomona native who started his career as a member of the Monrovia Police Department in 1981, according to a statement from the city.

In 1984 Keetle moved to the Pomona Police Department where he has served as a canine officer and a founding member of the Special Weapons and Tactics team before going on to become the team's commander.

He played a key role in bringing back the department's helicopter bureau.

Keetle has associate's degrees in liberal arts and administration of justice and a bachelor's degree in business administration. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Senior Management Institute for Police.

He is a member of the San Gabriel Valley Police Chiefs Association, the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association and is involved with various organizations including serving as a member of the board of directors of YMCA of Pomona Valley.

During the last nine month Keetle has shown he's the right person for the job, Lowry said.

"He's sincere, he's reliable, focused and genuine. I think he has the respect of the community, the department, the council and me," Lowry said.

Keetle is interested in making the department "the best it can be," she said.

Addressing the city's budget created the delay in appointing a new chief, said Rothman Tuesday.

However, that time gave the City Council a chance to "see how (Keetle) did and he did fine," Rothman said.

"He's good, he's tough and is going to be tough on crime. His men look up to him," Rothman said.