by Rufus Jeffris
After 22 years on the Atherton police force--the past five as chief--Patrick "Kip" Rolle has announced he will resign. Rolle last Friday handed City Manager Judy Kelsey a preliminary notice indicating he would not seek to renew his contract when it expires in September.
"I've been here 22 years and done everything here," Rolle said Wednesday.
Rolle, 42, said he would remain as chief until Oct. 3, giving the town more than six months to find a replacement.
"I'm real happy for him, he wants to do something new," Kelsey said.
Rolle holds a law degree and a bachelor's degree in criminology from the University of California, Berkeley. But he said he's made no decision about what he might do next.
"I'm just going to explore," Rolle said. "I'm just sort of looking at every option."
Although the town and its police officers have been locked in bitter labor negotiations for almost two years, Rolle said his decision to leave was not prompted by any problems with the department.
Talks between the town and the Atherton Police Officers Association resumed this month after a one-month contract the two sides signed in December expired. Disagreement over salaries remains the central issue.
Rolle said last week it was premature for him to begin reflecting on his long career with the Atherton force.
"I don't plan on being a lame duck for the next several months," he said.
The chief said before he leaves he expects to wrap up several important projects he's started, including putting together plans for remodeling or rebuilding the police station, formulating a broad strategy for local traffic enforcement and recruiting new officers.
"I don't want to lose the continuity or momentum on those," he said. "I haven't slowed down."
Kelsey said she expects to meet with the Council in the next several months to discuss how the town will go about recruiting a new chief.
"It gives us plenty of time," she said of Rolle's notice.
Rolle started with the department in 1973 as a 20-year-old patrol officer to earn money to help pay his way through law school.
Rolle said new opportunities within the department motivated him to stay and not pursue a career in law. He hasn't regretted it.
"It's a real positive thing all the way around," Rolle said.
@jumphead:Atherton police chief to resign
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