Chief eyes retirement

Andrew Edwards

Newport Beach Police Chief Bob McDonell is retiring July 1. But don’t

expect the longtime peace officer to hang up his badge.

If the City Council approves a plan proposed by City Manager Homer

Bludau, McDonnell’s retirement would only be a formality. McDonell

could continue to serve as police chief under a contract that would

allow him keep working at his existing salary while drawing a pension

from the state’s retirement fund.

Mayor Steve Bromberg anticipates the council will approve Bludau’s

proposal.

“We don’t want to lose Bob McDonell,” Bromberg said.

McDonell, 57, has served as Newport’s police chief for close to 12

years and has been in law enforcement for more than 36 years. He said

he has maxed out on the returns he can receive from the state’s

pension program and that it would not make financial sense for him to

continue working under current arrangements.

“The system is such that it kind of forces you to make these

decisions,” McDonell said.

“The alternative is to take my pension and go seek employment

elsewhere,” he added.

Bludau’s recommendation to the council stated the city could save

$26,000 annually under the contract, which would expire on June 30,

2007 if an extension is not made.

If the deal is approved, McDonell will continue to earn his

current salary, which city Administrative Services Director Dennis

Danner said is $162,531. The city would also contribute to a new

retirement program for the chief, but details for that plan have not

yet been worked out.

McDonell said its not unusual for police chiefs and cities to make

arrangements that allow them to work while drawing a pension. He

pointed to work arrangements for former Costa Mesa Police Chief Dave

Snowden, who now leads the Beverly Hills Police, and Santa Ana Police

Chief Paul Walters as similar examples.

One reason McDonell wants to stay on the job is his involvement

with the Integrated Law & Justice Project, an effort to enable Orange

County police departments to share records. He also wants to help

officers who have recently been promoted to supervisory roles develop

in their new jobs. When it comes time to step down for good, McDonell

said he wants senior officers to be ready candidates when the council

selects his successor.

* ANDREW EDWARDS covers business and the environment. He can be

reached at (714) 966-4624 or by e-mail at [email protected].