Menifee Police Chief Retires; Ford Takes Over as Captain

From left: Mayor Scott Mann; council member John Denver; retiring police chief Mike Judge; council members Lesa Sobek, Matt Liesemeyer and Greg August; city manager Rob Johnson. Menifee 24/7 photo: Kristen Spoon

Riverside County Sheriff's Department Captain Mike Judge, who has served as Menifee Chief of Police for just over two years, is retiring and has been replaced by Captain Brandon Ford (below).

The announcement was made during the Menifee City Council meeting Wednesday night. Judge was presented a plaque in recognition of his service from city staff and council members.

"It's always been my intention to serve as long as possible," said Judge, who replaced Captain John Hill in September 2013. "Sadly, for personal reasons I must retire Dec. 23."

Judge said since taking over as Menifee Chief of Police, he and his wife moved to Menifee and will continue to live here.

"Soon, I'll be a resident to be reckoned with," he joked. "Seriously, though, I'm pleased that our police department has fully embraced the community and has worked tirelessly to keep the city safe."

Judge faced the challenge of directing the public safety of a city that has only about 25 patrol officers -- less than half of Riverside County's guideline of one officer per 1,000 residents. The latest crime report, released earlier this year for the year 2014, showed a 9.7 percent decrease in Part 1 crimes -- murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, auto theft, larceny and arson -- from the previous year.

Yet even though the total number of Part 1 crimes decreased in 2014, robberies alone actually increased by 47.6 percent.

The City of Menifee contracts with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department at a cost of more than $10 million per year for police services. As city officials continue to seek ways of increasing the budget for public safety in a growing community, Ford prepares to take over the reins.

"I look forward to serving alongside each of you," Ford told council members following his introduction. "Menifee is a young, vibrant community and safety is a top priority."

Ford has served for 20 years in the Riverside County Sheriff's Department in the areas of patrol, special enforcement and internal affairs. He was raised in San Jacinto.

In addition to the plaque, Mayor Scott Mann -- a U.S. Navy veteran -- presented to Judge three commemorative U.S. Navy coins.

"You have improved morale in the department and helped reduce crime," Mann told Judge. "We are very grateful to you and wish you the very best."