The Hollister City Council is expected to confirm the hiring of
Jeff Miller as the city’s police chief today during a special
meeting scheduled for 5 p.m.
On Thursday from Sonoma, Miller discussed his philosophies as a
leader, experiences moving up the ranks and circumstances that led
to his resignation in Rohnert Park
– his only previous experience as a police chief.
The Hollister City Council is expected to confirm the hiring of Jeff Miller as the city’s police chief today during a special meeting scheduled for 5 p.m.
On Thursday from Sonoma, Miller discussed his philosophies as a leader, experiences moving up the ranks and circumstances that led to his resignation in Rohnert Park – his only previous experience as a police chief.
“Police work is something I’ve wanted to do just about all my life,” he said.
Miller grew up in Los Angeles County and wore his first police uniform 30 years ago as a police explorer in high school.
His first full-time officer position was with the Los Gatos Police Department when he joined the force immediately out of college and remained in the South Bay city for 20 years.
Los Gatos is also where he met current Hollister Interim Police Chief Larry Todd, who was Miller’s chief for 13 years. From 1995-2000, Miller was the department’s second-in-command captain.
Miller left Los Gatos in 2000 to become police chief and public safety director with Rohnert Park, which neighbors Santa Rosa. His tenure in Rohnert Park lasted only 18 months, however, after criticism from the police and fire union surfaced.
In October 2001, Miller resigned and took a patrol officer position with the Sonoma Police Department, where he is currently a sergeant.
“My preference is to always move forward,” Miller said. “There are lessons to learn everywhere you go.”
He sensed he was “not the right guy” for the job in Rohnert Park, and that the union – when Miller had been hired in 2000 – wanted someone else.
Other officials have recently expressed the same sentiment, including former Rohnert Park City Manager Joe Netter.
When he hired Miller, Netter said the union had been strongly lobbying for the Rohnert Park police commander at the time, Tom Bullard, to get the job.
“Frankly, I could have fought the union, but that would have distracted me from providing a service,” Miller said.
And that, respectably servicing the community, is the basic philosophy of law enforcement in which Miller takes the most pride. However, the chance to serve Hollister was nearly lost.
The City Council was ready to confirm his hiring on July 21, but Miller withdrew his name at the 11th hour after members of the Rohnert Park union criticized his past performance to Council members and the media.
So, Miller walked away from the opportunity because, as he had told City Manager Dale Shaddox, the negative attention could have adversely affected both the city and his family.
However, a recent investigation into Miller’s past by members of the Hollister Police Officers Association – including a meeting between Miller and union President Ray Wood – once again generated support for Miller.
The union’s public support convinced Shaddox on Wednesday to ask Miller to reconsider the offer, and Miller, who was surprised by the local union’s efforts, accepted.
“I appreciate the efforts that they (the Hollister union) went to, and I welcomed the opportunity to meet with them,” he said.
As a chief in Hollister, Miller wants his relationship with officers to be open, “where we can exchange information.”
“I think, first and foremost, I want to recognize that we’re a team,” he said.
One of Miller’s principal objectives is to “remove roadblocks” for officers. Training, for instance, is often overlooked by law enforcement leaders and he will advocate that officers continually pursue additional knowledge.
And when certain members of the department are sent elsewhere to receive training, Miller believes they should return and relay that information to others, “to enhance and help everybody.”
Miller did not want to address specific crime-related problems facing Hollister yet. He did, however, offer insight on gang enforcement.
Gang activity, according to local officials such as Todd, has increased in San Benito County in recent years and Miller said early intervention is the key to confronting the problem.
“A lot of parents would love to know about the behaviors of their kids,” he said.
Miller is married and has three daughters. Two attend college and one goes to high school in Sonoma.
Miller is not sure when he will begin his new job in Hollister if confirmed today, but, “I want to reiterate that I’m certainly excited about the opportunity in Hollister. I’m glad to be here.”
