Atascadero fires police chief due to ‘incompatible management styles’
The City of Atascadero has dismissed Police Chief Robert “Bob” Masterson, 20 months after he joined the department.
Masterson’s agreement with the city was terminated on a not-for-cause basis under section 3.A of his employment contract, according to a news release from the City of Atascadero.
“This clause is often included in employment contracts for municipal government executives and allows for release if the employee is not a good fit,” according to the release.
Because he was not terminated for cause, Masterson was likely eligible for a severance payout, according to his employment agreement.
He would receive a severance payout of $103,776, according to the severance agreement supplied by the city.
Masterson and City Manager Rachelle Rickard cited “incompatible management styles” as the driving reason for why he was released from his contract, effective Wednesday, the release said.
Masterson was previously on leave for undisclosed reasons, according to past Tribune reporting.
“Chief Masterson is a very capable chief with strong leadership skills, so it was only after very careful consideration, that it was decided to end Chief Masterson’s employment with the city,” Rickard said in the release.
As chief, Masterson reestablished the Community Action Team (CAT) to implement programs for the unhoused population in Atascadero, sent officers to Critical Incident Stress Management training to help prepare them for high-stress situations and led the team during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Masterson also hired seven officers, four dispatchers and reworked the budget, the release said.
“We appreciate Chief Masterson’s service to the city over the last 20 months and thank him for the dedication, integrity, commitment, and heart that he brought to the job every day,” Rickard said in the release.
Commander Jason Carr served as acting police chief while Masterson was on leave, according to past Tribune reporting.
The city will begin its search for a new chief of police in the months ahead, according to the release.
This story was originally published September 14, 2022 at 5:52 PM.
