By Theresa-Marie Wilson

The City of Grover Beach has a new Police Chief selected from within the department’s ranks. The city council approved a contract with Commander John Peters who will take the lead position on June 1. Peters replaces Jim Copsey who officially retired at the end of 2014, but remained as interim chief until a replacement was found.
Peters has 21 years of experience in law enforcement, the last 10 of which have been with the Grover Beach Police Department for the last 10 years, having served initially as a sergeant and later as a commander.
City Manager Bob Perrault said that at the end of the recruitment period, which was focused on the West Coast, Peters was in a pool among four qualified candidates who were then interviewed by a community panel as well as a technical one, which was comprised of retired or currently serving police chiefs.
“It was very clear to me that Mr. Peters was head and shoulders above any of the other candidates,” Perrault said. “I subsequently interviewed him myself and found that to be very true. I feel very comfortable in making this selection.”
His starting base salary as chief is $124,800 a year, plus benefits.
Mayor John Shoals raised concerns about the employment agreement details that specify provisions and conditions of the employment relationship allowing for up to nine months severance compensation that would be owed to Peters in the event he is terminated without cause and can’t secure another job.
“An employment agreement is not unusual for an individual of this stature,” Perrault said. “This is an ‘at will’ position, thus the individual can be terminated for cause or without cause.”
The city manager is responsible for hiring and firing, if need be, the police chief. The city council’s role is more of a budgetary one.
Copsey was hired as chief with a three-month severance agreement, however that was negotiated 10 years ago.
“I have not seen a three-month severance package at this level, either a department head or city manager, for probably about 10 or 15 years,” said City Attorney Martin Koczanowicz. “They just simply are not proposed at this level.”
Should the terminated employee cease to seek further employment, such as in the case of decided to retire, severance pay would also cease.
During the meeting, Copsey thanked the council for the decade that he has worked for the city and offered support for Peters.
“You guys have a wonderful candidate,” Copsey said. “I know John real well and he will serve this community very well.”