Giannini Elected Police Commission Chairman

By Andrew Gorosko

The newly constituted Police Commission has elected new officers for the agency for one-year terms.

At its December 1 meeting, commission members elected Duane Giannini as chairman, and Brian Budd as vice chairman.

Mr Giannini replaces Carol Mattegat as chairman. Ms Mattegat, a Republican, chose not to run for reelection in November. Mr Budd succeeds Mr Giannini as vice chairman. 

The current Police Commission has five members, three of whom are Republicans and two of whom are Independents. There are no Democrats on the agency.

Mr Giannini, Mr Budd, and James Viadero are the Republicans. Bruce Walczak and Keith Jacobs are the Independents.

Mr Viadero and Mr Jacobs are newly elected to the agency, having gained seats on the panel in the November 3 elections. Democrat Robert Connor, Jr, lost his bid for reelection in November.

On December 1 in the Police Commission’s annual voting for commission officers, Mr Walczak nominated Mr Giannini as chairman. Mr Budd seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations. Members unanimously elected Mr Giannini.

There was, however, a contest for the post of vice chairman.

Mr Jacobs nominated Mr Walczak for vice chairman. Mr Walczak seconded his own nomination. The nomination failed to pass in a 3-to-2 tally when Mr Giannini, Mr Budd, and Mr Viadero voted against it, and Mr Walczak and Mr Jacobs voted in favor.

Mr Viadero then nominated Mr Budd as vice chairman, with Mr Giannini seconding that nomination. Mr Budd was elected vice chairman in a 4-to-1 vote, with Mr Giannini, Mr Viadero, Mr Budd, and Mr Jacobs voting in favor, and Mr Walczak opposed.

The Police Commission creates and implements regulations for the police department. The panel appoints, promotes, suspends, and removes members of the police department, as necessary. The Police Commission also is the local traffic authority. Members serve four-year terms.