Huntington Park Police Chief Paul Wadley will retire in June after 30 years with the local police department. (Photo by Arnold Adler)
Story Created:
Feb 18, 2010 at 11:21 AM PST
Story Updated:
Dec 15, 2010 at 11:50 PM PST
HUNTINGTON PARK — Police Chief Paul Wadley, a 30-year-veteran of the Huntington Police Department, will retire June 30 when his two-year contract as chief ends, he announced Monday night.
Wadley joined the department in 1980 after five years as a recreation supervisor for the city. He rose through the ranks, making it to assistant chief in 2007 and police chief two years ago.
“He has served every position in the department except for K-9 (dogs) and the bike patrol,” City Manager Greg Korduner said. That included regular patrol, undercover narcotics and administration.
Korduner would not comment on whether he would seek a chief from outside the department or promote from within, saying “we’ve got four months to decide.”
The announcement, during comments by officials at the end of the City Council meeting, took council members by surprise.
“It’s been a great career,” Mayor Mario Gomez said.
“He will be sorely missed,” Vice Mayor Juan Noguez said.
Korduner, a city administrator in several area cities before Huntington Park, praised Wadley as the best police chief he had ever worked with.
Wadley joked that his wife of 32 years was looking forward to not hearing the constant messages on the police radio in their home.
In other items Monday night, personnel from Community Hospital asked the City Council to use their influence with officials of Avanti, who have announced plans to purchase the financially ailing hospital and keep it running, to maintain existing services and personnel.
Gail Scanlon, a longtime employee, said staff was concerned because Avanti officials have said they would layoff all employees and require them to re-apply for a job there.
She said hospital staff who are rehired probably face lower wages and benefits and no union representation.
Similar concerns were voiced by several other employees and union representatives.
The City Council made no response as the comments came during the audience participation part of the agenda during which officials may not publicly comment.
Community Hospital, struggling financially the past several years and which filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last spring, will be purchased by Avanti Hospitals, based in Manhattan Beach, said Avanti principal Joel L. Freedman of the 89-bed facility at 2162 E. Slauson Ave.
He said the sale is expected to go through by March 15 if the bankruptcy court approves.
Avanti owns Memorial Hospital in Gardena and East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital.
Freedman could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
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