201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #501
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5111
Fax: (714) 765-5215
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
DATE: AUGUST 12, 2025
FROM: HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF A RETIRED ANNUITANT FOR THE POSITION
OF CHIEF OF POLICE PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 21221(h)
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 09
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve the appointment and retired annuitant employment agreement with Rick Armendariz to serve on an interim basis to the vacant position of Interim Chief of Police, effective August 22, 2025, determining the specialized skills and critical need of the position to the City of Anaheim and within the Anaheim Police Department.
DISCUSSION:
Rick Armendariz is scheduled to retire from the City of Anaheim as Chief of Police on August 21, 2025. As the result of his announced retirement, the City Manager has determined it is necessary to hire Mr. Armendariz as a retired annuitant during the executive recruitment process to ensure all essential functions of the position continue without interruption. The City Manager recommends Rick Armendariz to serve as the Interim Chief of Police effective August 22, 2025.
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) recognizes that retirees play an important role in maintaining city operations and keeping cities safe, particularly in short-term or emergency situations. Government Code Section 21221(h) provides specific guidance on employing a CalPERS retiree that will serve in a vacant executive, managerial or other unique position, such as city manager, police chief and other department heads, etc., without interruption to retirement benefits or reinstatement from retirement. The city must initiate a recruitment process to permanently fill the vacant position in order to appoint a retiree in the interim. At such time, the City Council may, by resolution or contract, appoint a retiree under the following conditions:
The position requires specialized skills;
The appointment is for a limited duration not to exceed 960 hours; Compensation is within the approved salary schedule;
No additional benefits are provided; and
The appointee shall not accrue any further rights, benefits, or service credit.
Approval of a Retired Annuitant for the Position of Chief of Police Pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) August 12, 2025
The Chief of Police is required, among many things, to maintain adequate staffing to ensure the safety of the community and for emergency response and recovery. The City issued a Request for Qualifications to several executive recruitment firms specializing in police chief recruitment to conduct a nationwide search on the City’s behalf. The executive recruitment process is currently underway.
Rick Armendariz has served as Anaheim Police Chief since August 18, 2023, and prior to that as Anaheim Deputy Chief for four (4) years. He has 30-years of law enforcement experience including prior experience with the City of Modesto where he rose from the rank of Police Officer to Assistant Police Chief. Chief Armendariz has the specialized skills necessary to continue leading the Anaheim Police Department during the interim period. Upon appointment, he will continue to perform all functions of the position, at the hourly rate of $176.65, and no other rights or benefits, incentives, or other compensation in lieu of benefits, or any other forms of compensation will be provided during the appointment.
Approval of the agreement will authorize the appointment of Rick Armendariz as a retired annuitant to the position of Interim Chief of Police for a maximum of 960 hours, or upon appointment of a permanent police chief, but no longer than, or whichever occurs first, unless either party terminates employment.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The Chief of Police position is included in the Police Department’s FY 2025/26 budget.
Respectfully submitted, Respectfully submitted,
Jim Vanderpool Linda N. Andal
City Manager Human Resources Director
Attachment:
1. Agreement