The new Glendale Police Chief was official sworn into office among family, friends, supporters and mentors.

By Mary O’Keefe

With the raising of a right hand and an oath to uphold the laws of the land the city of Glendale issued in a new chief of police.

Ronald L. DePompa had been acting as Interim Chief since former Police Chief Randy Adams retired last summer. DePompa was officially appointed as chief on Dec. 8.

The ceremony on Jan. 7 may have seemed a little anticlimactic however it was a tradition that was important to follow, said Jim Starbird, Glendale City Manager.

“It is really identifying and affirming and confirming the values and principals and expectations of the community and all of its residents,” Starbird said at the ceremony.

The event to issue in the city’s 17th chief of police was held at the Glendale Police station and attended by both present and past city councilmembers and representatives from the police and fire departments and community members.

Mayor Frank Quintero issued the oath of office and presented DePompa with his chief’s badge.

“I first met Ron at least 25 years ago, I will never forget it. We were up in Montrose and I was with former city manager Dave Ramsey. He spent time with [us] and when he left, Dave said ‘He will be chief one day,’” Quintero recalled.

He told the audience that during the review process for a new chief he had talked to police officers as well as civilians to get their ideas of who they would choose for the job.

“Every last person picked Ron,” Qunitero said.

DePompa thanked all those that helped him throughout his career. He grew up in La Crescenta and graduated from Crescenta Valley High School. He began his police career on Jan. 3, 1978, was appointed sergeant in 1982, lieutenant five years, captain in 1990 and assistant chief in 2004.

“Glendale has always been my home,” he said.

He also thanked his wife and three daughters along with his mother who were all in attendance.

“When I take the oath it is not just for me individually but I take it on behalf of all the men and women that comprise the Glendale Police Department,” DePompa said.

  glendale police chief, ron depompa