New Commander Starts Job Monday

Cmdr. Christopher Godfrey begins work Monday at the East Valley Sheriff’s Station, overseeing the department’s operations in Moorpark and unincorporated portions of eastern Ventura County.

Godfrey, who was sworn in as a commander Thursday morning, has spent the past 1 1/2 years serving as captain of the sheriff’s operation that provides law enforcement in Fillmore.

In his new job he assumes a post left vacant when Cmdr. Geoff Bean went to the West Valley Station.

Godfrey, a 21-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, will be in charge of patrol, investigations and station administration.

“He’s being promoted because he came out No. 1,” said Sheriff Bob Brooks. “You need a lot of qualities for commander, and his last assignment tested those: strong leader, crime fighter, speaks with elected officials. Chris did a very good job.”

Godfrey and Cmdr. Kathy Kemp, acting chief for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department in Thousand Oaks, will work side by side in the station.

“Cmdr. Godfrey was my administrative captain in 1998,” Kemp said. “He has a lot of knowledge of the city of Thousand Oaks and some knowledge of the budget systems that the previous commanders didn’t have. I enjoyed working with him as a captain. And I’m sure I’ll enjoy working with him as a commander, also.”

While serving in Fillmore, Godfrey was instrumental in developing a community public safety academy in Spanish, the first in the county. The program was designed to build a stronger relationship between the deputies and the residents who spoke little or no English.

Godfrey said he will first look at how the operation is run before he decides if any changes will take place.

“Any good manager will sit back and evaluate the programs in place,” he said. “I don’t have any expectations. That doesn’t mean I won’t have programs that are beneficial. Initially, I am going in and getting my feet on the ground, and I’ll take it from there.”