The troubled King City Police Department is entering a new chapter with the recent appointment of incoming police chief Robert Masterson. City Manager Steve Adams announced his selection Thursday following an extensive, months-long recruitment and background review process.
Masterson's hiring comes at a tumultuous time for the city and its police force. The city's former permanent police chief was arrested along with its acting chief and four other officers in 2014 for a vehicle towing scheme that targeted poor Latinos. Since then, a series of acting chiefs have either quit or been fired from the job. The city is also on the hook for $1.2 million for the scandal and is currently being audited by the state.
Masterson's appointment represents an "important step in rebuilding the police department," said Mayor Robert Cullen. He added that Masterson was "uniquely qualified" for the job.
Masterson's law enforcement career includes 20 years of service with the Tulare County Sheriff's Department. At various times he held the position of lieutenant, detective, internal affairs sergeant and leader of the gang suppression unit there. For the past 8 years, Masterson has worked as Chief of Police for the College of Sequoias Community College District. He is also the former director of a nonprofit organization dedicated to gang prevention and other issues related to at-risk youth.
Read more about King City's new police chief here.