Merced College names retired police captain as new chief

Merced College said Tuesday a retired Merced police captain has been tapped to become the new campus chief of police, a move that follows the school’s decision to end its 16-year relationship with the county sheriff’s office.

Tom Trindad, who retired in December from the Merced Police Department, will serve as the temporary police chief while the college continues negotiations with city officials, the school said in a statement sent by email. A contract between the college and the city’s police department would need to be approved by the Merced City Council.

College officials announced last week they allowed the old contract with the Merced County Sheriff’s Office to expire because the college and sheriff’s officials could not agree on terms for a contract renewal. The dispute centered on the sheriff’s insistence on having the sole authority to decide which officer was assigned to lead the campus security team.

“This was despite the fact that Merced College would be asked to continue to pay over $150,000 for the contracted management services of this person,” according to the statement by Dennis Jordan and Leonel Villarreal, president and vice president, respectively, of the Merced College Board. “This was done without discussion, negotiation, or explanation with the college.”

The email was circulated to campus staff and faculty, according to spokesman Robin Shepard.

Trindad, 51, worked in law enforcement for 28 years, according to Sun-Star archives. Before joining the Merced Police Department in 1987, he was a patrolman at Merced College and a reserve officer with Livingston Police Department.

“I wanted an opportunity to still serve,” he told the Sun-Star on Tuesday. “I was asked and it’s a great department and there’s great people out here, and I’m looking forward to being part of it.”

He said the transition has been smooth as the sheriff’s office moves out and Merced police move into the college.

The statement by Jordan and Villarreal addressed a series of stories by the Sun-Star about the contract dispute. “We are not angry or defensive about these stories,” it reads. “We did not have a lot to contribute when asked by a reporter because of legal and personnel issues. We believe actions taken in the last few weeks have been done in the best interests of Merced College students, faculty, and staff.”

Sheriff Vern Warnke has told the Sun-Star he moved to alter the office’s contract with the college because of concerns that interim college President Susan Walsh had tried to use campus police as a “political tool.” Sheriff’s Sgt. Vince Gallagher said Walsh pressured him to arrest a college trustee and to investigate college faculty members.

Walsh has denied the claims. She has declined requests for an interview with the Sun-Star.

Walsh requested on June 21 to have Gallagher removed from his position, a move the sheriff’s office said was unprecedented.

The changes made by Walsh came after conferring with the board’s president, vice president and secretary, according to the emailed statement. “She conferred with district administrative staff and legal counsel several times,” it states. “Even though the time frame was short, the actions of the district were thoroughly discussed and thoughtfully made. Decisions were not made in haste.”

Walsh was named acting president in January after the departure of Ron Taylor, who was placed on administrative leave by the board before he retired.

This story was originally published July 5, 2016 at 11:54 AM with the headline "Merced College names retired police captain as new chief."