Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated when Stephen Gesell will start work as San Luis Obispo police chief. Gesell begins his new job on Jan. 17, not Jan. 7.
San Luis Obispo has a new police chief.
On Monday, the city named Stephen Gesell to replace nine-year chief Deborah Linden, who retired in December.
A 22-year police officer, Gesell has been acting chief in Atascadero for most of 2011, and he worked for 20 years at the Scottsdale Police Department, where he achieved the post of division commander.
He is expected to take his new post Jan. 17.
For overseeing a staff of more than 80 and a budget of $15.3 million, his starting salary will be $157,508.
“I am confident that Steve has the experience and skills to successfully lead the department into the future,” said City Manager Katie Lichtig in a news release.
Gesell, who is from San Luis Obispo, said in a news release that he is excited to serve as police chief of his hometown. “My family and I look forward to becoming part of the community and getting to know the many people that make this city the phenomenal place that it is.”
What you should know about comments on SanLuisObispo.com
SanLuisObispo.com is happy to provide a forum for reader interaction, discussion, feedback and reaction to our stories. However, we reserve the right to delete inappropriate comments or ban users who can't play nice. See our full terms of service here.
Here are some rules of the road:
- Keep your comments civil. Don't insult one another or the subjects of our articles. If you think a comment violates our guidelines click the "report abuse" button. Responding to the comment will only encourage bad behavior.
- Don't use profanities, vulgarities or hate speech. This is a general interest news site. Sometimes, there are children present. Don't say anything in a way you wouldn't want your own child to hear.
- Do not attack other users; focus your comments on issues, not individuals.
- Stay on topic. Only post comments relevant to the article at hand. If you want to discuss an issue with a specific user, click on his profile name and leave him a public message.
- Do not copy and paste outside material into the comment box.
- Don't repeat the same comment over and over. We heard you the first time.
- Do not use the commenting system for advertising. That's spam and it isn't allowed.
- Don't use all capital letters. That's akin to yelling and not appreciated by the audience.
You should also know that The Tribune does not screen comments before they are posted. You are more likely to see inappropriate comments before our staff does, so we ask that you click the "report abuse" button to submit those comments for moderator review. You also may notify us via email at webmaster@thetribunenews.com. Note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us the profile name of the user who made the comment. Remember, comment moderation is subjective. You may find some material objectionable that we won't and vice versa.
If you submit a comment, the username of your account will appear along with it. Users cannot remove their own comments once they have submitted them, but you may ask our staff to retract one of your comments by sending an email to webmaster@thetribunenews.com. Again, make sure you note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us your profile name.
Our news, your way
Be the first to know what's going on in San Luis Obispo County. Just tell us how you want to find out — we'll take care of the rest.
E-mail »
Twitter »
Facebook »
iTribune »
Subscribe »
RSS »Get breaking news on your cell phone
Sign up for breaking news alerts from SanLuisObispo.com and get the latest news sent to your cell phone via text message.
Terms and Conditions:
By signing up for alerts from this site, you are signing up for a program that may include up to 5 SMS text alert(s) per alert category per day. There is no service fee charged per month but your carrier's standard text messaging and other charges may apply. You may stop this subscription service at any time by sending the text message "STOP" to 72737. You must be at least thirteen (13) years of age to use our alert services. If you are between 13 and 17 years old, you agree that you have received parental permission both to complete the registration process and to receive SMS content on your cell phone. For help, send the text message "HELP" to 72737. This service will work with ATT, Verizon, Sprint, Nextel, Alltell, US Cellular, Cincinnati Bell, Boost, Virgin Mobile USA, Celluar South, Telos, Centennial, East Kentucky Network, Cellcom, Immix and Rural Celluar.
Quick Job Search
Top Jobs
About comments
Reader comments on SanLuisObispo.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Tribune. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.