Shelley Zimmerman will support the LGBT community, said the new police chief who was sworn in Tuesday following almost a love fest and praise from residents during her confirmation hearing before the San Diego City Council.
Zimmerman, 54, is the first female San Diego Police Chief and is a 31-year veteran. Mayor-Elect Kevin Faulconer nominated her Feb. 26, a day after Police Chief Bill Lansdowne, 69, announced he would retire after 10 years being the top cop.
Council President Todd Gloria asked Zimmerman if she would support the LGBT community, and he noted he already knew the answer. Yes, she said.
About 375 people attended the City Council session in which speaker after speaker praised Zimmerman, who was the former Assistant Police Chief.
“This is a day I will always remember,” said Zimmerman after being sworn in. “It’s a privilege to wear this uniform and badge.”
Standing with Zimmerman was her 84-year-old mother Elaine and her brother Rod. Nearby was Faulconer who was sworn in as the new mayor March 3.
Ninth District Councilmember Marti Emerald made the motion to confirm Zimmerman which was seconded by Sixth District Councilmember Lorie Zapf. Zimmerman shook hands with every single councilmember following the 8-0 vote.
“Not only the right person for the right job, she’s a genuine, caring, kind person,” said Zapf.
Faulconer describer her as “extremely well qualified” to lead the approximately 1,800 officers in his memo to the Council. She served in many departments including narcotics, internal affairs, vice, mayoral protection detail, and was part of security planning for the Super Bowl and the Republican National Convention in San Diego.
In 1984, her youthful appearance paid off when she posed as a Patrick Henry High School student during an investigation into drugs being sold on campus. Many students and others were arrested, mostly for selling marijuana.
Her most recent role was being an expert in police retention. She has testified at City Council committee hearings about the number of officers who retire and then go on to work at other law enforcement agencies because of better pay and benefits.
Zimmerman will only be police chief for four years as she entered a retirement program that is irreversible and she must step down when she turns 58. In 2013, Zimmerman entered into the Deferred Retirement Option Plan, known as DROP.
Zimmerman has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the Ohio State University. She is also a former police captain for the Northern Division.
Lansdowne stepped down in response to news coverage about two San Diego police officers who are alleged to have had inappropriate conduct with females while on patrol. Only one officer, who recently resigned, has been charged by the District Attorney’s office.
