Cypress Police Chief Jackie Gomez-Whiteley has announced she is retiring effective March 16. Chief Gomez-Whiteley provided the following statement regarding her retirement:
Cypress Police Chief Jackie Gomez-Whiteley has announced she is retiring effective March 16. Chief Gomez-Whiteley provided the following statement regarding her retirement:
“Nearly four years ago, I began an extraordinary journey when I was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Cypress ~ a city close to my heart. I grew up here. I am sad to report that my journey will end on March 16, when I retire. My courageous and loving husband, John, has endured a difficult battle with cancer since May. A police chief’s job is too demanding to give an ailing spouse the attention he deserves. It was not an easy decision – as police work is my calling – just as it was John’s before he retired from Orange PD.
Leading the men and women of the Cypress Police Department has been an honor and privilege, and I am proud of the deep partnerships we have forged with the citizens of Cypress. During the past four years, our partnership contributed to Cypress’ enhanced reputation as an outstanding and safe place to live, work and play. I am proud of what we – the Police Department and the community, working together – accomplished. Crime continued to drop; last year, violent crime fell by 17 percent. And through the support of City and community leaders, our collaborative efforts resulted in significant accomplishments and received noteworthy recognition, including:
• Elementary school superintendents, principals and staff worked with Department members to create the Positive Actions thru Character Education (P.A.C.E.) program for grade six students
• Cypress Police Foundation provides support to the Police Department by helping fund programs such as P.A.C.E., Red Ribbon Week and the Police Explorers. They also purchased our most recent police service dog, “Pasko”
• Since 2011, Cypress Police Foundation hosts an annual Police Appreciation Luncheon for all Department members to honor the dedicated service and accomplishments of the men and women of the Police Department
• Crime Survivors Inc. recognized the Department as the 2012 Community Policing Organization of the Year
• Department staff collaborated with our elementary, high school, private schools and Cypress College to create a school violence response initiative
• Orange County Human Relations Commission awarded the Department the Community Policing Award for 2013
• A recruitment and hiring strategy was initiated and successfully implemented where Police Explorers are mentored and trained for careers within the Cypress Police Department
• Leaders of local Faith-Based groups and Department staff re-implemented the Inter-Faith Council, which was originally started by Cypress Senior Police Chaplain, Dr. Jerry Shumard
In other parts of the nation, relationships between police and the communities they are sworn to serve are fractured. That’s not the case in Cypress. In fact, we have taken steps to ensure the Department reflects the community. We are more diverse, more educated and as committed as ever to providing world-class service. I’m hopeful that the community will continue to embrace the Police Department – and the Police Department will continue to serve the community with distinction.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve this incredible community. The experiences and relationships have made an indelible impact on my life.”
The City of Cypress thanks Chief Gomez-Whiteley for her service to the community and extends its best wishes to her. Acting Police Chief Rod Cox, a 24 year veteran of the Cypress Police department, will serve as Interim Police Chief.