GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Gridley Police Department’s newest Chief, Rodney Harr, is settling into the role, albeit slowly.

Chief Harr began his career in Law Enforcement with the Gridley Police Department when he was hired in 1999 by then Chief John Donahoe.  Working his way up from patrol officer to detective, then to narcotics detective, serving as Sergeant for 10 years and then Lieutenant, he brings what he calls “well-rounded” experience to the table.

Despite that, Chief Harr says that the move to Chief has definitely taken some getting used to. “It’s a little surreal being chosen…” he says. “Gentlemen that I saw as father figures are, instead of calling me Rodney, they are calling me Chief. It’s ODD for me!” Those who know him know that the following is true of the soft-spoken Chief. “I’m kind of humble,” he says, “I don’t like the spotlight that much. This role of Chief has a lot of spotlight. It’s going to be a transition for me.”

Regardless, the new Chief has been congratulated by many, even by those that he has arrested. He chalks that up his efforts to create relationships and personal dialogue with the people he works with, including the criminals. “I try always to treat people with respect,” he says, and that “most people are good people that have made bad choices.”  He sees his position as a way to be able “effect change” and not just serve justice and protect.

His new role of Chief will take him out of the field where he is able to interact with many in need of change, but that won’t mean that his influencing days are over. Chief Harr says that he is looking forward to the opportunity for growth that the role of Chief will bring and that he sees it as his time to “transition from student to teacher.”

Recently, the Gridley Police has lost many of its senior officers to retirement or outside positions, replaced by fresh faces on the force. Chief Harr looks at it as a breath of new life for the department and is excited about the mentoring opportunity it brings. “The new officers coming in – They’re trying to establish themselves. They are go-getters. It raises the bar for the guys who have been around for a few years, so everybody’s got to get into the peak performance levels and make themselves shine.”

The new Chief says that he is turning his focus to the operational side of the department and the success of his agency. He feels that one of the biggest parts of the job as Chief is supporting his department, saying “That’s important because if your officers aren’t happy, then your department’s not doing well and not healthy. That’s the whole point here, to have a healthy department.”

From what it sounds like, Gridley has chosen the right man for the job.