200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #733
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5162
Fax: (714) 765-5164
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
DATE: JULY 18, 2023
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF CHIEF OF POLICE APPOINTMENT AND
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 02
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve the appointment made by the City Manager of Rick Armendariz to the position of Chief of Police, effective August 18, 2023, approve the associated employment agreement, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
DISCUSSION:
Following the retirement announcement by our current Chief of Police, the City contracted with Bob Murray & Associates (“Consultant”), an executive search firm with extensive experience in public safety, to conduct a nationwide recruitment for the City’s 37th Chief of Police. The Consultant gathered feedback to guide the search through a series of six community meetings, stakeholder discussions, and separate meetings with representatives of bargaining units representing employees serving in the Anaheim Police Department.
A number of highly qualified applicants applied for the position. After initial interviews performed by the outside consultant, five candidates moved forward to the oral panel interview process. This step consisted of interviews by four separate oral panels including a Chief of Police professional panel, a community panel, a City Executive team panel, and an association panel. The three finalist candidates that emerged from the oral panel interviews were invited to the final interview with the City Manager.
Acting under the authority granted by the Charter of the City of Anaheim, Section 604 (a), the City Manager selected Mr. Rick Armendariz, current Deputy Chief for the City, for appointment to the position of Chief of Police. Mr. Armendariz has 28 years of law enforcement experience, serving as the Deputy Chief of Police for Anaheim for the last four (4) years. He previously served with the City of Modesto where he rose from the rank of Police Officer to Assistant Police Chief. His last two years as Assistant Police Chief in Modesto, he simultaneously served as the Interim Deputy City Manager. Mr.
Armendariz has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Chapman University, Orange and a Master of Science degree in Emergency Service Administration from California State University, Long Beach. He has earned the Management and the SWAT Approval of Chief of Police Appointment and Employment Agreement July 18, 2023
Commander certifications from California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST), has completed a variety of leadership and training courses and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Boston University Senior Management Institute for Police.
Terms and conditions for Mr. Armendariz are set forth in the attached employment agreement presented for City Council approval. The agreed annual salary of $310,648 is within the recently approved new salary range for Chief of Police. Mr. Armendariz will be appointed on an “at-will” basis, besides annual salary, his compensation package will include an increase in vacation accrual rate to eight (8) hours per pay period and a one- time addition to his vacation leave bank of sixty (60) hours , in recognition of his years of service in law enforcement. Because the position of Chief of Police is an “at-will” position, the negotiated agreement includes a provision for severance pay equal to twelve (12) months of his monthly base salary for the first year he serves in the position, reducing to six (6) months thereafter. The severance provision would apply if Mr. Armendariz is terminated or in the event he resigns after being requested to do so; provided, however, that severance will not be paid if Mr. Armendariz is terminated as a result of 1) a conviction of any felony or crime of moral turpitude, 2) any act of dishonesty, or 3) any act that brings disrepute to Mr. Armendariz or the City. In addition to the cash severance, Mr. Armendariz will be deemed to be eligible for retiree health benefits if terminated before his five (5) year anniversary with the City occurring in October 2024. All other remaining benefits of employment are provided under the Personnel Rules and Policies Covering Non-Represented Full-Time and Part-Time Employees.
Mr. Armendariz’s appointment to Chief of Police shall be effective August 18, 2023.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient funds are available in the Police Department Fiscal Year 2023/24 budget.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Vanderpool
City Manager
Attachment:
1. Employment Agreement