Police captain Michael Bertelsen was sworn-in as chief of the Azusa Police Department, replacing chief Stephan Hunt on Sept.16.
The former chief and Citrus College administration of justice professor Hunt ended his 30-year career with his department Sept. 13. He led the police department for three years before retiring at age 51.
Hunt began his career with the police department in December 1989 as a trainee. He was a supervisor, watch commander, narcotics officer, detective, gang training officer, terrorism liaison and a member of the SWAT team.
Hunt was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for thwarting a violent bank robbery in 1995.
During his time as chief, some of his officers were awarded the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor by President Donald Trump, the highest national award for law enforcement. Hunt submitted his officers for the award for their conduct during an election day shooting in 2016.
“To be recognized at a national level for their heroism was just incredible and probably the highlight of my career,” Hunt said.
His department hired 25 officers during his time as chief.
Operations captain Chris Grant has been with the Azusa Police Department for thirteen years. Grant said the department does a lot of community outreach.
“We do a lot of community engagement, it’s very important to us,” Grant said. “Chief Hunt has always put the community first.”
Grant said Hunt is a tenacious leader who looks out for the best interest of the community and someone he looks up too.
“Chief Hunt attributed many of his leadership qualities and core values in the experience he had in the army. He brought those experiences with him to the police department,” the Azusa Police Department website said.
Hunt was involved with the Homeless Assistance Liaison program to help the homeless in the San Gabriel Valley Riverbed. He said the Azusa police department brings resources to the homeless.
“We are not just about enforcement, we are out there, doing outreach,” Hunt said. He said he needs to balance law and order with compassion and take the compassionate approach.
He he said believes people need to recognize drinking water is affected and the area is not designed to be inhabited. The police department have found people melting lead in areas where water flows, including running generators, debris, garbage and feces.
Hunt said the police department works with all community partners to encourage the homeless to move on.
“Just because you’re homeless doesn’t give you a pass to commit crimes, that’s the delicate part,” Hunt said.
Azusa resident of 24 years, Diana Torres, said the police department has not done enough to lower the city’s homicide rate.
“I always hear about shootings and it scares me,” Torres said.
Hunt said the homicide rate has not increased, although there have been 5 murders in Azusa in the last 12 months.
The police department also works with school districts to instruct parents on what to look for when their kids are risk of gang affiliation. Hunt was an advisor for the police explorer program.
“Seeing that violence at such a young age is concerning to me as chief, so that’s why we are trying to work with youth programs to give to kids,” Hunt said.
Hunt teaches criminal justice classes at Citrus, where he earned his associate degree in administration of justice. Hunt will continue teaching at Citrus College after his retirement. Many of his former students work in law enforcement.
“I really want to be remembered for my sense of community and problem solving,” Hunt said.
His last day as chief was September 13. Hunt will travel to Italy with his wife and daughter. He said he has to make up the lost time.
“I have a little bit of marriage maintainer to do,” Hunt said.
