The mayor formally swore in Denise Turner, Gilroy’s new police
chief, Monday night in front of nearly 50 people.
The mayor formally swore in Denise Turner, Gilroy’s new police chief, Monday night in front of nearly 50 people.
“We welcome you to our community,” Mayor Al Pinheiro said before he had Turner raise her right hand and swear to protect the community. Just hours earlier, Chief Turner had her badge formally pinned upon her lapel at the police station, but at the council chambers she had an opportunity the address the wider community.
“It’s my honor and privilege to be selected as your police chief,” Turner told the audience. “It’s been a long road, and I’m just pleased to be here, so thank you very much for this privilege.”
Turner – a former chief with a 26-year career at the King County Sheriff’s Office, which has jurisdiction in parts of Seattle, Wash. – is GPD’s long-awaited permanent leader. Capt. Scot Smithee served as the department’s interim chief after former GPD Chief Gregg Giusiana retired in late January.
City Clerk Shawna Freels technically swore in Turner March 24, after she had been in town for less than 36 hours. She spent her first day on the job meeting new faces, attending meetings, touring the city, getting fitted for her uniform and finding a house to rent.
