On Aug. 30, The Weekly submitted the following questions to police candidates — Cory Morgan and Mario Brasil. Candidates had until Sept. 13 to reply. Below are the answers The Weekly received from the candidates. Answers are presented verbatim.
What are the biggest public safety challenges in the city?
Morgan: Our biggest public safety challenge is that we don’t have the team, training, and technology in place to make Santa Clara the safest city it can be. I will prioritize all three items. First, our team: we have fewer cops now than in the 1980s. We must get our staffing back to 100% to fill essential roles and enhance public safety. Second, our training: increased investments in the learning and growth of our people is essential to our overall effectiveness. Finally, our technology: to meet the growing demands in the city, we must leverage technology to be efficient and effective.
Brasil: Organized Retail Theft: This has become a significant issue, affecting both local businesses and overall community safety. Addressing this involves coordination with our retailers, increasing surveillance, and creating enforcement strategies to disrupt these crimes.
Traffic Safety: Addressing this challenge involves not only enforcing traffic laws but also investing in infrastructure improvement. Public awareness campaigns and community engagement are also key.
Unhoused and Public Safety: The increase in homelessness presents complex challenges, including safety concerns for both the unhoused population and the broader community. Addressing this requires not only enforcement but also comprehensive social services, mental health support, and housing solutions.
What will you do, if anything, to increase transparency to the police department?
Morgan: I plan to increase transparency of the department by taking the following steps. First, our quarterly management meetings will be summarized and shared with Santa Clarans so they know more about the department’s results and direction. Second, I will prioritize publishing the police blotter to increase awareness of the criminal activity in the city. Third, I want to establish frequent meetings with all of the council members. I aspire to be the Chief for all Santa Clarans and the council has tremendous reach with their constituencies.
Brasil: To increase transparency, I will focus on improved communications and connections with the public. I’ll implement regular community forums and feedback mechanisms to ensure open dialogue between the department and the public. I will also focus on improving our digital presence by improving our website with more detailed and accessible information. This includes regularly updated crime data, a user-friendly crime mapping tool, and clear communication about department activities and policies. I believe that these few steps will build trust and ensure that residents are informed and engaged in our public safety efforts.
What are your qualifications to be police chief: degrees, advanced education/certification, special task forces, regional public safety initiatives, teaching engagements, etc.
Morgan: B.A. History, Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo, A.A.S. Intelligence Operations (High Honors), Cochise College
Executive Certificate in Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School (In Progress)
Management Certificate, California Police Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.)
US Army Veteran – 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) – Five deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, numerous decorations.
Federal Task Force Officer – Drug Enforcement Administration
Teacher/Instructor: Critical Incident Response, Active Shooter Response, Report Writing, Major Event Operations, and more.
Brasil: Education: Santa Clara Unified Product, West Valley College: Associates Degree, San Jose State University: Bachelor’s Degree
Certificates: Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate, Intermediate P.O.S.T. Certificate, Advanced P.O.S.T. Certificate, Supervisory P.O.S.T. Certificate, Management P.O.S.T. Certificate
Experience: Hired with San Jose Police in 1998, Worked patrol, including as a training officer, assignments in Special Operations METRO and Special Investigations: Vice, As a Sergeant, worked as a patrol supervisor, assignments in Administration Unit, Downtown Services and in Secondary Employment. As a Lieutenant: Watch Commander, assignments in Internal Affairs and the Administration Unit. Training: Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, FBI LEEDA-Supervisor Leadership Institute
Given the union has been so political, what are you going to do to rebuild community trust?
Morgan: I aim to lead the SCPD in earning and maintaining community trust through our daily interactions with citizens. Trust is earned by standing up to criminals, protecting the vulnerable, and reducing victimization. It is maintained through transparency, treating everyone with dignity, and holding individuals accountable for their actions. By fostering trust through these efforts, we will honor the confidence our community places in us, while advancing our mission to make Santa Clara the safest city possible.
Brasil: Rebuilding community trust is a crucial and multifaceted task. Here’s how I would approach it:
Transparency and Accountability: I would prioritize transparency in all operations and decision-making processes. This includes clear communication about policies, procedures, and the rationale behind key decisions.
Community Engagement: Building strong relationships with community members is essential. I would initiate regular forums and community meetings to listen to concerns, gather feedback, and involve residents in shaping policing strategies.
Reforming Practices: It’s important to review and, if necessary, reform police practices and policies to align with best practices and community values.
In 2016, the Santa Clara police union threatened to not work events at Levi’s Stadium. How would you handle such a threat by the union?
Morgan: I believe that addressing challenges and concerns from any stakeholder who cares about Santa Clara is a crucial part of effective leadership. My approach to engaging with these stakeholders (including unions like the Santa Clara Police Officers’ Association, local community groups, and beyond) would involve open and transparent communication to understand their concerns fully. I would then work collaboratively to identify potential solutions that address the underlying issues while ensuring community safety and security. My goal would be to foster a positive working relationship with all stakeholders while enabling Santa Clara to be the safest city it can be.
Brasil: If faced with a similar situation, here’s how I would handle it:
Open Communication: Meet with union representatives to understand their concerns and grievances. This helps in building trust and demonstrates a commitment to addressing their issues constructively.
Explore Solutions: Work collaboratively with the union to find mutually agreeable solutions.
Foster Long-Term Relationships: Use this opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the police department and the union.
Ultimately, my goal would be to resolve the situation in a way that upholds the welfare and morale of our officers while ensuring the safety and smooth operation of events in the city.
What assets do you bring to the department as a current member of SCPD/having served in an outside department like SJPD?
Morgan: My entire law enforcement career has been with the Santa Clara Police Department. This has given me a deep understanding of the community, the organization, the city, and the personnel. I am experienced, have excelled across all four divisions of SCPD, and am ready to lead on day one. My vision for the agency has been shaped by my experiences and knowledge. My career accomplishments at SCPD and strong work ethic have earned me the endorsement of every SCPD Chief I’ve worked for, making me the undisputed choice of leaders who know the job best.
Brasil: Having proudly served at SJPD, I bring a wealth of experience and a skill set that can be beneficial to the SCPD. My background includes:
Broad Perspective: Working in a larger city like San Jose has exposed me to a range of challenges and scenarios, from large investigations to community policing in diverse neighborhoods. This experience has given me an understanding of law enforcement that can be tailored to Santa Clara.
Innovative Practices: SJPD has implemented several practices that have proven effective in enhancing public safety and operational efficiency. I aim to bring some of these practices to SCPD.
Are you comfortable with the role of the police chief? If not, how would you change things?
Morgan: The Charter and Municipal Code for the City of Santa Clara are very clear: the Chief of Police shall supervise the police department. This arrangement was resoundingly affirmed by the people in March of this year by a 72% – 28% margin. I plan on supervising the police department as the department head.
I look forward to a strong working relationship with both the City Manager and the City Attorney to satisfy the will of Santa Clarans and to follow the law. This includes fulfilling the following Chief responsibilities: Management and Command Staff appointments, executive leadership team meetings, and evaluations.
Brasil: I’m confident in my ability to take on the role, if confirmed, I would focus on several key areas:
Community Engagement: I would prioritize building relationships between the police department and our community.
Training and Development: Training for our officers is essential. I would advocate for ongoing development, to better serve and protect the community.
Resource Allocation: I would evaluate resources and make adjustments (if necessary) to ensure that we are addressing the public.
Mental Health and Wellness: The mental health and wellness of our officers is crucial. I would create and maintain programs that support officers’ well-being and resilience.
Election Day is Nov. 5, 2024. For a list of all the open offices and who is running for them in the City of Santa Clara, visit the city’s website.
so let’s try and have a new person – I like this Brasil – I’m so into trying something new – I’m voting for Brasil – I’m done with a POA person and a Gillmore person so done
Wow! So we get a choice? After reading these responses, it’s clear BRASIL has the better responses and it is clear that he is not on the existing Gilmore favorite list! Let’s have a fresh start! Let’s move on with a different choice and not someone who ONLY knows the existing SCPL. I think some fresh outside eyes can see where we are lacking and fix things and not someone who’s already there doing the same thing over and over.