Walnut Creek Gets A New Temporary Police Chief

Long-term Walnut Creek police department veteran Capt. Steve Skinner will be the acting police chief beginning later this month, according to the Contra Costa Times.

Skinner was appointed last week by City Manager Ken Nordhoff to take the place of retiring chief Joel Bryden. Bryden's term will come to an end precisely five years after he first took office. He will retire with a salary of $200,000.

The search has been narrowed for the permanent replacement, Nordhoff has said, and a candidate has been identified. Whoever gets the permanent appointment will inherit a department that has faced deep cuts since Bryden came aboard in 2008.

The cuts have created an ongoing controversy between those who feel public safety has been sacrificed for cultural programs, and those who support public funds for libraries, public arts and other programs.

Though the department is presently understaffed, Bryden said that new officers should be coming on board before the end of the year.