Brown named Menifee's interim director of public safety

The City of Menifee took the first major step in preparation for its own police department this week with the hiring of former Hemet Police Chief Dave Brown as interim director of public safety.

Brown said he is not seeking the permanent Menifee police chief position, according to a city news release on Thursday, but he brings considerable experience to the task of conducting the search for that key administrator. Brown has served in law enforcement in California for nearly 30 years. He served two terms as president of the Riverside County Police Chiefs' Association as well as serving as chair of the Inland Empire SWAT Commanders Association.

In addition, Brown (below) served on the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Regional Policing Task Force. He and his wife Carol have been Menifee residents for over 27 years.

"This is a big step toward the establishment of the City of Menifee Police Department," said City Manager Armando Villa. "Dave's primary focus will be laying the groundwork for the new department and starting the procurement process for the necessary equipment and infrastructure needs of the new department, which will help keep the city moving forward while we search for the city's first police chief."

The City Council on Nov. 8 passed a resolution to form its own police department, which will replace the city's contract with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. The city must give the county 12 months formal notice of contract termination, and the clock won't start ticking on that until the hiring of a Menifee police chief. The goal for that hiring is by April 2019.

According to city attorney Jeffrey Melching, who presented the results of city staff's study of the issue at the Nov. 8 meeting, the Sheriff's Department contract is estimated to be $19.2 million in the 2019-20 fiscal year. The Menifee PD budget is estimated to be $14.2 that year. By the year 2023-24, the RSO contract would escalate to approximately $25.5 million, while the Menifee PD budget is expected to be $16.8 million.

The police chief's priority during the first year would be to analyze the data and finalize manpower plans; supervise the purchase of police vehicles and other equipment; and oversee the renovation of the current City Hall, which would become the police station when city officials move into a new City Hall down the street.

"I am just thrilled to be a part of this exciting and groundbreaking venture and look forward to working alongside Menifee's leadership team to make this process as smooth as possible," Brown said.