GASTON: 28-year veteran becomes chief

But Gaston is a self-described optimist. "We have in the department some very dedicated and talented individuals," he said. "The Anaheim Police Department is . Viewed as a good place to work and a good department to be a part of." Gaston believes the contract dispute is close to a resolution. "I think the gap is closing in terms of the disagreement," he said. "We're very close to coming to a resolution of the contract and with the pay adjustment we will be more competitive in the field." Like former Chief Joseph T. Molloy, who died of a heart attack in July, Gaston said he will maintain a high profile in the department. "I'm not someone who really likes to be captive inside my office any more than I have to be," he said. "The chief is a coach and is somebody who should be out in close contact with what's going on in the department and should make himself available to the community." Gaston should know; he has worked with six police chiefs. "There are parts of me that are influenced by all six;" Gaston said. "I enjoy moving around the organization and I know that (Molloy) did, too. To us, police work is fun. It's serious business but we still get a great deal of enjoyment out of it." Gaston's role model is former Police Chief Mark A. Stephenson, the chief who hired him and after whom the station is named. "He was a father figure for the guys that worked here. He was a stabilizing influence," Gaston said. "There was no question in our minds as to who the chief was and what his values were and what he expected of the members of the department. He was a role model because he practiced what he preached and so whatever his expectation was of the department he exemplified that in his own life." Gaston was chosen from a field of 40 candidates presented to City Manager Jim Ruth by anexecutive search firm. Ruth said there were many factors leading to Gaston's appointment. "(Gaston) has tremendous experience and background in law enforcement. He has knowledge of the departments, has worked in almost every department and is knowledgeable about the problems facing Anaheim," he said. In his 28 years on the force, Gaston has been a patrol officer, motorcycle officer, accident investigator and detective. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1983 and oversaw the department's gang, narcotics and vice details. Gaston's roots are local. He graduated from Bellflower High School in 1962. He joined the force in 1965, three years into his studies at California State University, Long Beach, where he was an education major. He changed his major to criminology. "My impulse was always to be a police officer," he said. Gaston also has a master's degree in public administration from USC. A resident of Anaheim for 28 years, Gaston is married to Linda Gaston, a specialist in teaching hearing-impaired students for Anaheim Union High School District. Gaston has four children, three from a former marriage and one with Linda. He enjoys gardening, running, bicycling and reading, especially history and biographies. He currently is reading a biography of Harry Truman. Gaston is also involved with the Sunkist Baptist Church. Gaston has seen many changes in his 28 years on the force. Anaheim's population has grown tremendously, he said. The density of the city has changed in many areas. Anaheim is now a 24-hour city. "At one time the city was relatively quiet in the hours of the morning," Gaston said. "That's not the case now." There are more calls for service because there's a greater reliance placed on the Police Department, Gaston said. And, although there has been a percapita decrease in crime, violent crimes have increased, he said. Gaston said the department is entering into reorganization, which will change the department only from an administrative standpoint. The department currently has five divisions and will, soon have four. The change will cut administrative overhead costs, Gaston said. He also intends to expand community-based policing. "We've had some noticeable successes in the past," Gaston said. "We have what we think is a working formula as to how to move into an area with the cooperation of the residents." Gaston said that gangs and drugs are major problems that must be addressed. "We need to deal with the problems associated with narcotics and drugs in not only sales on the streets but impact they're having on people's lives and in the community," Gaston said. "We need to have a very noticeable presence on the street." In April, the department will get some help in fighting gangs. A deputy district attorney, a deputy district attorney investigator and a probation officer will work with two police gang investigators to combat gang activity. It's a program modeled after a TARGET team in Westminster. The team will target gang leaders who seem to be instrumental in causing gangs to grow and become involved in criminal activity, Gaston said. They will also focus on individuals who are on probation because of previous offenses.