SDPD chief Lansdowne retires

Police chief William Lansdowne, beset by his force's sex and other scandals, resigned yesterday afternoon (Feb. 25), effective Monday, March 3. Mayor-elect Kevin Faulconer reportedly did not ask the chief to resign, although the two had had a long discssion Friday.

Scandals have marred the chief's ten years in office. Seven women have charged that officer Christopher Hays sexually harassed or assaulted them while he was on duty. Former officer Anthony Arevalos, now in prison, was sentenced for soliciting sex from women he pulled over in the Gaslamp Quarter. Two of the charges were overturned recently.

Lansdowne was nimble at playing politics. During Mike Aguirre's term as city attorney, Lansdowne refused to serve a search warrant at Sunroad Enterprises, even though it had been approved by a local judge. This decision made him popular with the political establishment because then-mayor Jerry Sanders was doing favors for Sunroad, a major donor to the mayor. But Sunroad's subsequent behavior makes some wonder about the protection then afforded by the chief.