Incoming Modesto Police Chief In Town For Council Introduction

MODESTO (CBS13) - The incoming Modesto police chief was in town Tuesday for an introduction in front of the City Council, and he spoke to CBS13 about his vision for the department.

From police captain in Long Beach , double the size of Modesto, Galen Carroll will be the top cop in town when he's sworn in next month.

"First order of business is getting to know the department, getting to know the people here," he said.

Carroll officially starts his new job Jan. 8, but he is wasting no time coming up with ways to tackle the city's crime problem.

"My biggest push is really focusing on the 2 to 3 percent that are really committing crimes and victimizing the community," he said. "I want to make sure they know we are here and that we are paying attention to them."

The city's homicide rate is up 50 percent from this time last year and the department has seen its fair share of cuts. Almost a quarter of all police department positions have been eliminated.

Carroll hopes to hold quarterly meetings to hear from concerned citizens, something that he says worked for him in Long Beach.

"Long Beach mirrors Modesto in many ways, from the crime rate to the gang problems, drug problems a lot of issues we face in Long Beach, Modesto faces as well."

Former police chief Mike Harden retired in August. The city launched a nationwide search that led to Carroll.