Update: Aceves Named Interim Police Chief, Gets Ex-Chief’s Endorsement

Updated at 10:55 p.m. Sunday

Ed Aceves, one of two captains in the La Mesa Police Department, has been named interim police chief starting Thursday, said City Manager David Witt.

A 26-year employee of the force, Aceves is one of 22 applicants for the permanent job of police chief, Witt said Sunday. Aceves was the only in-house applicant to succeed Al Lanning as chief.

Attending Sunday morning’s 9/11 memorial event at the Dallas Street fire station, Witt said about eight applicants have been chosen for interviews by a three-member screening panel.

On the panel are outgoing El Cajon Police Chief Pat Sprecco, Escondido City Manager Clay Phillips and La Mesa resident Jerry Fazio, a longtime leader of the Boys and Girls Clubs of East County.

Interviews of the eight begin Thursday, Witt said. The panel will recommend three or four finalists to the city management team for final interviews, with Witt making the final decision.

A permanent chief is expected to be named by mid-October.

Aceves, a native La Mesan, served on the Helix Charter High School board, where his two daughters attended school.

He was project coordinator of the nearly year-old police station, built after 2004 voter approval of a $125 million bond issue.

In 2009, the North County Times reported that Aceves headed a regional robbery task force formed in late 2007.

In late July, former La Mesa Police Chief Cliff Resch said La Mesa should look inside the ranks for a new leader.

“I believe an agency should only go outside for a replacement chief if: a) there are internal problems or issues,  b) there are no qualified candidates from within, or c) the city manager feels there needs to be a change from the status quo,” said Resch—the three-year chief who helped pass Proposition D for the police station and fire station remodels.

In a letter to the editor Sunday, Resch threw his full support behind Aceves.

“Ed was one of the key leaders I could truly count on during my tenure as chief,” he wrote in this letter. “If I asked him to get something done, there was no whining or sniveling, complaining or backstabbing. He got it done.”

Resch said Aceves “has done his time as a soldier and a middle manager. I believe he is more than ready and deserving to take over and lead the police department.”

La Mesa police employees also want Aceves promoted, Resch contended.

“His selection will offer a continuity and the ability to hit the ground running from day one that no other candidate can offer,” he wrote. “If the city Manager, City Council and mayor are looking for the best candidate to become their next chief of police, I think Ed Aceves is their man.”

City manager Witt said email noting Aceves’ appointment was sent to city officials Friday. Carlos Medero, the other La Mesa police captain, was not a candidate for chief.