RIALTO - Baldwin Park Police Chief Mark Kling has been named to the top spot at the troubled Rialto Police Department, officials said Wednesday.
Kling built his reputation in part on rebuilding Baldwin Park's department, which came close to dissolution five years ago. Rialto's Police Department weathered a similar struggle after the City Council voted in September to disband it in favor of contracting with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The council reversed its position in March.
"I look at this as an opportunity, and I see a city on the verge of explosive growth. The challenge motivates me," said Kling, whose annual salary will be $153,000.
Rialto City Administrator Henry Garcia said Kling, who was chosen after a final round of interviews Monday, said he was the best fit for the situation and the city.
"Mr. Kling and I share a serious commitment to reinventing this department," Garcia said. "He is the perfect leader to change the organizational culture from one that has been distanced to one that is integrated."
Garcia's decision does not require City Council approval. His selection followed recommendations from a seven-member interview committee that shaved a field of seven candidates to the two Garcia interviewed Monday.
Garcia characterized Kling as tough, principled and brainy, pointing to his success in leading the Baldwin Park department since 2001 and his doctorate in public administration from the University of La Verne.
"He shares with us a desire for a cultural change and a confidence and focus to lead the city into the future," Garcia said. "There is no Plan B, because we will accomplish Plan A," rebuilding the department.
Baldwin Park city and police officials, unaware their chief was after the Rialto position, were jolted by the news.
"It took me aback, it was totally unexpected," said Baldwin Park Mayor Manuel Lozano. "He's one of the most talented, innovative leaders I've ever met. He'll be tough to replace."
Kling "turned around" the department in the city of 84,000 when he ascended from captain to chief in 2001, according to Lozano. Kling helped revive a department that some in city leadership suggested should be scrapped in favor of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Kling will be stepping up from a department with 124 personnel to Rialto's, which employs about 160 when fully staffed. Currently, staffing is down nearly 25 percent.
"In 2001, the Baldwin Park Police was in roughly the same condition Rialto is in now," Kling said. "I'm ready to get in and develop a plan to return the department to premiere status."
Kling said he hoped to start his new job by late August.
During his tenure at Baldwin Park's helm, Kling's major accomplishments included expanding traffic forces, launching a narcotics enforcement team and a full-time gang enforcement team, and upgrades of communications and weapons and defense systems, according to a Baldwin Park police association presentation to the City Council in 2004.
"But most of all, Chief Kling has established an atmosphere of trust and fairness within the Police Department," wrote Officer Mark Adams in the report.
Kling called the commendation one of his greatest personal achievements.
Kling, 48, was born in Montebello in 1957 and graduated from Montebello High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix, and a master's and doctorate from the University of La Verne. He received his degree in 2003, moonlighting as a student between duties as police chief.
After serving as a police explorer at age 14, Kling got a job as a reserve officer with the Monterey Park police in 1981 and worked there until 1999, when he joined the Baldwin Park force.
robert.rogers@sbsun.com
(909) 386-3855
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