Capt. Richard Corriea: Police Beat

It's been a pleasure to serve
In December of 2008, I was assigned to the Richmond Police Station and was just delighted by the opportunity to work in the communities that my family has called home for four generations. Since I had known some of the officers assigned to the Richmond since the early '80s, returning here felt like coming home. While I had planned to complete my police career here, that wasn't to be.
With Greg Suhr's appointment to chief of police in late April, I expected the department would experience some organizational restructuring and, after two-and-a-half years at Richmond Station, I felt it was likely I would be transferred. On May 16, Chief Suhr telephoned to say that he was promoting me to the rank of commander and that I would be working in the Metropolitan Division of the department's Operations Bureau. I was speechless and honored, but a bit melancholy about leaving the Richmond. I think Suhr's appointment to chief portends continued greatness for the department, and I am thrilled to be part of the team advancing his vision.
This article, my 30th and the last as your station's captain, is a bit difficult to write. I hate to say "good-bye" and the "Richmond Review" doesn't have enough column space for me to properly acknowledge the fine work of Richmond's officers or to thank the many members of the community who partnered with us to make our district safe.
I guess you might say that I am all Richmond. My dad was born on 29th Avenue and my mom on 23rd. I grew up in the Inner Richmond. I went to Roosevelt Jr. High, the "Hot House" restaurant, George Washington High School and Playland. I delivered the "Shopping News," "SF Progress" and later the "SF Chronicle." And I ate at the "Feed Bag" and the "Red Roof" restaurants. The early years of my police career were spent at Richmond Station.
Ten years ago my wife said it was time for a larger home, and I agreed. I was wide open as to location just as long our new home was located west of 36th Avenue in the Richmond. I insisted on having Crown Hardware, Balboa Theater, Pacific Cafe and Geary merchants all close by. I wasn't interested in a long drive to get to the Regent Cleaners on California Street or the Simple Pleasures Coffee House or Mescolanza Restaurant. My son Jack couldn't be denied Tia Margarita or Yet Wah. Gaspare's restaurant for pizza on Geary and Shanghai dumplings from Balboa Street are necessities of life. Geographical boundaries like Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach and the Presidio are reassuring. And, where would I get a battery for my wrist watch if Tigge's wasn't near-by? Or, how would one find the perfect greeting card without Gables Stationary or have a bucolic wine tasting experience in an urban environment without Blackwell's opening its doors on Geary.
I am aware that this all may seem just a bit provincial. But it's not that simple. The truth is that the Richmond District feels like an extension of my front porch. From there I greet my friends, neighbors and merchants, and interact with the other people that make life so special in our foggy corner of the City. So, imagine how lucky I felt to be responsible for police services for my home. I felt like I was working every time I left the house, and I loved it! I took each crime personally and when we had a tragedy, it was especially personal. Seeing great police work made me so proud. If I knew my family was safe, I knew you all were safe also. This sense of connection, coupled with my commitment to community policing and problem oriented policing, made me a more effective police officer. And a better partner to each of you.

Officers carried out community policy directives
I can't say enough about the superlative performance of the station's officers in the last couple of years. They embraced change, persevered in a resource constrained environment and gave meaning to the police-community partnership with their daily work. Many community folks gave me ideas, pointed out problem areas and made suggestions about how we might make the Richmond an even better place to live. From traffic concerns to graffiti to burglaries, many joined in to help. You all had the ideas and I made promises. At the end of the day, however, it was the officers at Richmond Station that delivered on those promises. And delivered they did!
I am so proud of their hard work and commitment to the residents of the Richmond. They embraced each new idea and strategy. You and I drew the plans but it was the officers who carried the lumber and moved our concepts to reality.
A special thanks to the Richmond's Community Police Advisory Board. They were great partners and challenged me to consider new ideas. I think that we achieved a real sharing of control over how the Richmond is policed. They defined community policing though their participation and displayed a sincere love for our communities. David Heller has been a steady and helpful partner as well, and I will miss his wise counsel.
I appreciate all the help that Paul Kozakiewicz and his "Richmond Review" gave to our policing efforts. He was especially understating when I would mistakenly e-mail my monthly articles to the Richmond Review in Canada!
In my new role, I will be responsible for five police districts in the eastern part of the City. My plan is to stay active in our community and participate in the district's community endeavors and programs as a resident.
Thank you.
The new commanding officer at the Richmond Station is Capt. Keith Sanford, a seasoned police executive who you will find easy to approach and engage. I know the station is in good hands with such an innovative and community-oriented leader at the helm.

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