PASO ROBLES, Calif. - Paso Robles Police Chief Lisa Solomon released a copy of her retirement statement that was made public, which you can read in it's entirety here and also issued the following statement regarding her retirement from the city of Paso Robles:
"To be clear; the choice to seek early retirement was mine. No disciplinary action has been taken against me. I am grateful to the City for the agreement we have reached and the support I have received through the years, and I will work diligently with them to defend the false allegations made against me and the City as my employer. I will not make any further comment relative to matters that may be subject to future litigation.
Chief Solomon"
Here is the official letter submitted to the city from Chief Solomon:
March 20, 2012
Mr. James L. App
City Manager
City of Paso Robles
1000 Spring St.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Dear Mr. App, et al.,
It is with a heavy heart I inform you of my decision to seek early retirement from my position as Police Chief for the City of Paso Robles. While my many years of experience with the City have brought me significant reward and accomplishment, recent attacks on my character by unscrupulous media sources and self-serving individuals have reached a level of indecency so great, I will no longer subject myself, my family or my colleagues to such invasions of privacy and distraction from the mission of my office; to protect and serve the community of Paso Robles.
The legacy of my career and life's work in service to the citizens of Paso Robles is quite counter to the recent virulent attacks against me by a vocal minority. I am a 26-year law enforcement veteran, having served in six increasingly demanding positions ranging from Dispatcher, to Patrol Officer, to Chief. I have been entrusted with the safety of my community while serving in command-level roles for over 15 years. Throughout my years with the Paso Robles Police Department I have dedicated my organizational talents to positively affect crime prevention and law enforcement in Paso Robles; I have secured and managed millions of dollars in grant funding, acted as the Department's project manager through design, construction and relocation of personnel to our state-of-the-art Public Safety Center, initiated and supported youth enrichment programs, including my work as the Department's first full-time D.A.R.E. Officer and fundraising efforts to acquire our first D.A.R.E. police car.
In my tenure as Chief, largely spent during the years of the Great Recession, total crimes per capita and total crimes overall have dropped significantly, all while the Department has faced considerable adversity relative to staffing challenges, reductions in training and increased population and workload. I have championed programs for youth, supporting the important role of recreation, arts and positive alternative after-school programs to develop our kids into productive adults who avoid criminal behavior. To this end, I have volunteered in leadership roles as a board member and advocate for several local non-profit organizations that specifically serve the needs of women and children. I have also taken on non-traditional roles, above and beyond my responsibilities as Chief, to promote marketing and tourism in this great city by chairing the Amgen Tour of California Local Organizing Committee to host two very successful Stage Finishes here in Paso Robles.
As I reflect on the past two decades, I am grateful for having earned the respect and appreciation of my colleagues and community through the years, as evidenced by numerous awards and formal recognition; Paso Robles Police Officer of the Year, California Jaycees outstanding Young Public Safety Officer, Distinguished Alumni of both Cuesta College and Alan Hancock Community College and the San Luis Obispo County Tribune's Top 20 Under 40.
My record stands on its own, and I am confident my many contributions to the safety and quality of life in Paso Robles will be the prevailing memory of my years of service.
As I say goodbye, I wish to thank the men and women of the Paso Robles Police Department and the professional staff of the City of Paso Robles; it has been my honor and privilege to work side-by-side with you for so many years. You are great public servants, doing an often thankless job, serving with honor, dignity and professionalism. I could not have been more fortunate than to work with such an outstanding group of individuals. I will miss all of my friends and supporters dearly, and I will always be at your service.
In closing, I would like to acknowledge and thank my family, friends and the many community members who have offered their unwavering support and friendship through the years, and most recently through this time of adversity. You are the reason I have chosen to dedicate myself to the policing profession for so many years. While I will no longer serve as your Chief of Police, I look forward to other opportunities to serve Paso Robles in the future. As a wife, mother, neighbor, friend and retired professional with significant experience in public service, I look forward to a future of continued contribution to the community I love.
Sincerely,
Lisa Solomon
Paso Robles Chief of Police
