Altadena Sheriff's Department Captain to Retire
Capt. Steve McLean of the Altadena Sheriff's Station announced his retirement at Tuesday's Altadena Town Council meeting.
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Capt. Steve McLean the top official at the Altadena Sheriff's Station bid a tearful farewell to Altadena Tuesday night when he announced his retirement from the Sheriff's Department.
McLean has been the top cop in Altadena since early 2010 and during his tenure property crime in Altadena dropped massively after a big surge in the first six months of 2010.
His decision to retire was partly due to his desire to spend more time with his wife and two daughters, but was also practical, he said. Department officials have told officers that there could be future changes to department pensions that make now a good time to retire.
In fact, McLean said, by retiring he will actually make more money annually than continuing in his job.
But, he said, that did not make it an easy decision. Through tears, McLean said Tuesday night while he always thinks of his family first, ending his career as a police officer would be very difficult for him.
"Being a cop is not just what I do, it’s who I am," McLean said.
McLean grew up in Southern California, and struggled with school, drinking, and getting in trouble with the police (he shared some of the stories of his life in this Patch interview).
He eventually began to focus on education after his law enforcement career was well underway, and earned a master's in Criminal Justice at age 51.
McLean said Tuesday he considers his tenure in Altadena a success. Department crime statistics show that 2011 was a big improvement over 2010: in total, violent crime dropped by 17.4 percent compared with 2010, and property crime dropped by 25.3 percent.
During his time in Altadena, McLean also faced various criticisms over deputy behavior and community relationship with the department.
He addressed some of those issues on Tuesday:
"Even if you disagree with some of the decisions I made- and make no mistake about it Altadena is good at calling things to my attention- I just hope you know this captain does not have a malicious bone in his body," McLean said.
McLean received a standing ovation from an unusally-crowded Town Council meeting (attendance was high due to discussions about the Palm Street School proposal).
His second-in-command, Lt. Roosevelt Johnson, then did McLean's normal briefing to the Town Council, but also took a moment to praise his boss's dedication to the job.
"There was never a time when someone asked him to attend a function when he didn’t do it," Johnson said.
McLean that his decision to retire was made in the last week after hearing about the pension issue, and as a result, there are not yet plans for who will replace him as the top department official at the station.
C JAKE
6:47 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I have been a volunteer with the Sheriff Station since the days of FASS (Friends of Altadena Sheriff Station back in the late 1980's) and I have seen many captains come and go. In my opinion none of them were as good as Steve McLean. You could always reach Captain McLean - he never hesitated to give his cell number and email address and his response to your concerns were always swift and decisive. Any event (including Mr. T's 95th birthday party) in the community would find Captain Steve McLean in or out of uniform. He opened the communication lines in Altadena and never hesitated to show his appreciation to his staff and his volunteers. He is going to be sorely missed. My one hope is the new Captain will continue on the same path of trust and open communication with the sheriff. Good luck and God speed Captain Steve McLean.
Gregory Middleton
7:26 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Since I became a member of the Town Council I have had to say bye to two of the finest gentlemen that I’ve met later in life: Both were and are men of character and conviction. Although I had a short time under Captain Blow’s command, I got a chance to meet him as a man behind the badge and was surprised to know the genuine nice man at the top of the Altadena Sheriff’s station. I thought it would be impossible to replace the man that sat in his chair. But then came along Steven McLean that took the “nice guy behind the badge” up another level. Although you knew he was very serious about his “law enforcement position,” he also went out of his way to let you know him as a person, a man of faith and genuinely great person. We call each other Brothers in Christ. I have always loved him, supported him, and defended him, simply because I knew him as a man. He has become a new friend and I will truly miss you. Love you Captain, but I fully support your decision. May life take you to even brighter and better days from this point with your loving family…
Steve Lamb
11:00 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
OH Happy Day! Hopefully the new Captain will not arrive with the usual increased non probable cause searches of young men on the street who are stopped merely for their age and ethnicity. That would be a welcome change.
Dickinson
3:53 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Put a sock in it steve.
Revvell
12:39 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Missed you last night Steve. Thought you'd be there with your rumblings and grumblings about someone who actually made the streets relatively safe to walk on any time of day or night. But then, you do have a way of not facing those you complain about .... internet is safe, isn't it?
Steve Lamb
3:26 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Well Revvell- since we dont even know your real name I think your accusations are pretty much a transparent joke. And as to me facing my political opponents, I did it almost full time for 30 years. I do it occasionally now when I'm not busy caring for sick and old people, doing art and designing things. I didnt even have any idea the ATC was meeting last night, I no longer keep track of when its the Third Tuesday, I was busy doing something worthwhile in any case..
Revvell
4:36 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Yeah, like riding your 350 pounds of girth on a bicycle around Altadena; hanging out at the Coffee Gallery in the mornings (even though it seemed you missed "Coffee with the Captain" ~ ironic, eh?); and claiming to hand out with the Bloods on Sacramento when the deputies are cleaning in up ~ yet, far as I've heard, they've never seen this obese white man there. Hmmmm....
Uh, who is this "we" you talk about who don't know my "real" name? Half the folk you breakfast with know it ~ and it's real ~ as I've said numerous times... but, I guess you don't read well either. *sigh*
And, there are no accusations here. All people have to do is read your previous posts.
I'm just saying ~ all the rumblings and grumblings you do here online about the Captain and the deputies... when it comes to meeting face-to-face, your face doesn't show up. Hiding behind a computer .... well, easy to say stuff isn't it?
Steve Lamb
5:03 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Well whats your name then? Your full legal name. And yes I do ride the bicycle, no I dont ride it on Sacramento and yes I did indeed interview people about that incident and I've been on that street a lot over the decades, and I walked it for several elections..And I show up all the time. There was quite a bit of chatter if you will remember about how dare I ask your favorite Captain questions at a public meeting....I don't have to prove to anyone I show up thats a total joke to say I dont and I hide in back of a computer screen when again, we dont have the privilege of even knowing who you are. And no one I eat breakfast with knows who someone named Revvell is.
Steve Lamb
5:18 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
OH LOL you are using your moniker from your internet radio raw food program! LOL Well I can see why being a food fadist of the silliest type I can see why you spent the last couple years not disclosing that. LOL! I mean who can take THAT seriously. Believe me, the people I eat Breakfast with are NOT your crowd. LOL But I am curious as to why your rabid support of Law Enforcement..Haven't you been reading up on all the actions Law Enforcement is taking against all you raw food fadists? I mean I think you all are silly to the max, but I support your desire to eat whatever overpriced labor intensive diet you choose. You are picking the wrong friends and the wrong enemy.LOL its all that garlic/ carrot/beet juice, got you a bit loopy has it?.
Revvell
5:23 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
How many people named Revvell do you know?
I never said you rode it on Sacramento but you did claim you were there the last time the deputies made an arrest and tased someone. Actually what was it someone called you when you claimed to have been there that day? Hmmm...
And, I'm not talking about elections, etc., and, no, I have no recollection of you asking my favorite Captain anything... As I said, you never showed at your favorite breakfast place when he did...
Oh yeah, I actually wave to your friends as I walk by because they do know me.
Revvell
5:27 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Ahhh, you did a search! Brilliant! My moniker eh? lmao. You're too funny.
Not disclosing what? That was what? 2, 3 years ago? What's to disclose?
No, they're no my "crowd" which is why I don't join you silly man. And no, I don't read up on action law enforcement is taking against raw food folk. They're not bothering me.
Ummm, yanno, I think if people look at me, and then look at you, they can see who is "loopy".... What are you carrying? about 200 lbs. of excess fat? Might want to do something about that.
Enjoy Steve, I'm done. :)
Gary Edwards
7:09 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
you guys make a cute couple. it always starts off bickering, put downs, making fun of each other then it gets serious! way to stay on topic btw