SOUTH GATE — A new chief of police has assumed duties in the city, but the previous one will be around for a while to advise the city on various lawsuits and other issues arising during his tenure.

The City Council has approved an agreement with former Chief Robert Todd to purchase (from the state public employees retirement system) one year of his retirement at a cost of $61,000, so he can be on hand for about three years for part-time service resulting in a retirement credit with the state of 30 years.

Todd has served the city for 29 years as a police officer (two years as a cadet) and has been police chief since August 2003. His consultant service began Jan. 21.

Capt. Vincent Avila, a 27-year veteran of the South Gate Department, was promoted to police chief as of Jan. 21.

City Manager Ronald Bates, in a written report to the City Council Jan. 13, said the agreement in effect hires Todd as a consultant “for his assistance in defending the city against the many marginal charges that have been purported by some current and former members of the department and police legal cases involving other matters.

Todd will be available to work with the city’s legal team 20 hours per month for the next three years, Bates said.

Purchasing one year of retirement allows Todd to bring his total service as a public safety officer to 30 years, which is the maximum retirement credited for a public safety officer under the public employee retirement system, Bates said.

In related action Jan. 13, Mayor Gil Hurtado presented proclamations honoring Todd and three other police retirees. They include Capt. Andrew C. Key, a 31-year department veteran, including service as a police cadet, who retired Dec. 31; Lt. Russell Galbreath, on the force 32 years including service as a cadet, who retired Dec. 31; and Sgt. Keith V. Underwood, with 33 years of service including that of a police cadet, who retired Jan. 8.

Also honored were 15 graduates of the South Gate Police Department Explorer Academy. They were: Antonio Barajas, Stephanie Cano, Valeria Cano, Miguel Castellanos, Juan Gomez, Christian Gutierrez, Frida Gutierrez, Stephanie Machado, Jasmine Narro, Veronica Osuna, Refugio Quinones, Marvin Ruiz, Erika Serrano, Fredi Urieta and Leslie Vazquez.