Bob Carden

Bob Carden won't have any problem remembering his tenure as Visalia's chief of Police.

If there was ever any doubt, pholks, that the Exeter native whose hard work, determination and management skills propelled him to the top cop spot, a send-off reception at the Visalia Convention Center last week certainly dispelled that far-fetched notion.

Carden, who has been Visalia's chief for only about three years, received so many plaques, resolutions and other gifts, the guy's gonna have to add another room or put up some extra walls in his Marysville, Wash., home where he is headed to resume a teaching career.

With a couple hundred co-workers, friends, including quite a few current and retired Visalia Police Department members, attending the informal doings, Carden and his wife, Debbie, received a warm and sincere farewell.
His list of accomplishments since taking over the Visalia cop reins in May 2006, is impressive. Judging from the speeches, comments, good natured ribbing and the wide circle of law enforcement, local politicians, community leaders and other well-wishers attending last week's event, lots of people were impressed.

Even the good-natured ribbing he received from fellow Visalia officer, and later Kings County Sheriff Ken Marvin, showed the respect Carden continues to receive.

After telling one or two “pholksy” tales of two hunting trips and some pranks in which Carden was involved, Marvin made it clear that his buddy's reputation as a fair, innovating and dedicated leader was the real deal.
But the real proof that Carden served as a strong, respected and yet down to earth leader is the listing of his accomplishments by all the speakers.

They included: The restructuring of the departments, establishment of the Multi-Agency Gang Prevention Task Force, revitalizing the Hispanic Advisory Committee, implementing the Visalia Police Department/Tulare County District Attorney Court Liaison Unit, the critical incident team program and the gang injunction process.
Many of those actions have played key roles in reducing gang violence through innovative gang and violence suppressing and interventions.

And, through various strategies, in a tough budget atmosphere, Carden brought department staffing to allocated levels.

Not too bad for three years.

Along with Tulare County Sheriff Bill Wittman and District Attorney Phil Cline, Carden has appeared at dozens and dozens of churches in the area, gaining faith-based support for anti-gang and juvenile crime fighting efforts. Most weeks, Carden made church visits twice a week. Sometimes more often.

When he took over as Visalia Chief, Carden was returning to the department he joined in 1981 and serving several years before taking jobs in other Valley areas including Lemoore where he was chief.
Carden has several degrees in law enforcement and management and experience in teaching college – allowing him to hang up his badge.

A further indication of just how dedicated Bob Carden is to law enforcement is his reason for stepping down from Visalia's top police job. By retiring with a golden handshake, along with other top-ranking officers in the department, the city will be able to avoid laying off other officers. With a good retirement package and a college teaching job, in law enforcement of course, Carden says it is just the right thing to do. Coupled with the early retirement of several other top officers and managers, the city of Visalia will save an estimated $700,000 annually.
And, city officials are quick to point out that because of Carden's brief but outstanding leadership, the department appears to have strong leadership.

Just take a couple hours to look up all those plaques, resolutions and comments made at the reception. You might have to travel to Marysville, Wash., to finish that task, but Bob and Debbie Carden, married 36 years, with two sons and a granddaughter, won't be hard to find. They are pretty well known and respected there, too.

Miles can be reached at mshuper@valleyvoicenewspaper.com