Costa Mesa police chief plans to retire

Costa Mesa Police Chief John Hensley announced Wednesday that he’ll retire June 30, though he will stay with the department till he’s replaced.

The new chief will take on the controversial task of explaining and possibly carrying out the immigration plan the City Council approved in December. It’s unclear what effect that controversy could have on finding a new chief.

Hensley could not be reached Wednesday afternoon. The news was announced in a written statement from the city.

The fourth chief in Costa Mesa’s 52-year history, Hensley was hired in June 2003 to replace longtime Chief Dave Snowden, who retired after more than 17 years with the department.

Since December Hensley has faced concerned and sometimes hostile audiences in the community to explain the immigration enforcement plan, under which police would be trained to check the immigration status of people arrested on suspicion of felony crimes. No plan has officially been written yet and the council must still give it final approval.

In spite of the controversy raised by the plan and national media attention it has drawn, City Manager Allan Roeder said Hensley “is not retiring because of the immigration issue. He is making his decision to retire independent of that issue.”

Roeder and Mayor Allan Mansoor said the immigration proposal will not pose a challenge in hiring a new chief.

“I know there’s a lot of interest in the chief’s job, and anyone who applies for the position will know what the city is expecting,” Mansoor said, though when asked several times he declined to say who might be interested.

“I just know there’s interest. I know that there’s people that are up for the challenge,” he said.

Councilman Gary Monahan expressed similar sentiments.

“The city has taken an official policy direction that anybody applying for the position would be aware,” he said. “The rumors have been out there and it’s my understanding there is already a lot of interest.”

Other city leaders were doubtful the immigration plan didn’t influence Hensley’s decision.

“I think it’s sad that all the chaos that is going on in our city continues to have detrimental effect on city business,” Councilwoman Katrina Foley said. “With immigration and all the distraction, engaging in a national debate is putting a lot of stress on our city staff, especially our law enforcement officers.”

The department has about 160 officers, Mansoor said. He expected officials to immediately begin searching for a new chief.

Hensley has been in law enforcement 23 years, serving in Manhattan Beach, Barstow and Cypress before coming to Costa Mesa. He turned 50 last week, the age at which he’s able to collect 78% of his current salary.

Before working in municipal policing, Hensley also served about 10 in the military police, said Laguna Beach Chief Mike Sellers, who worked with Hensley in Cypress.

During his tenure, Hensley won praise from residents by stepping up community policing. Sellers said he didn’t know Hensley was retiring. “I know he’ll be missed,” Sellers said.

Snowden, who is now chief of the Beverly Hills Police Department, said the furor over immigration has lowered Costa Mesa’s reputation with many, but the Police Department is “above reproach.” Finding a new chief won’t be difficult, he said.

He declined to comment on Hensley’s performance as chief.

“Costa Mesa’s a good city, a good gig,” Snowden said. “When the mayor is gone, they’re going to have the best department around again.”

Costa Mesa Police Officers Assn. president Chris Walk would not comment on the chief’s retirement. dpt.06-hensley-CPhotoInfoMI1PM7J620060406hf7pwrkf(LA)John Hensley