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New police chief: Iraq experience will prepare me better for Truckee

Jenell Schwab
Sierra Sun
Adam McGill
ALL |

TRUCKEE, Calif. and#8212; Adam McGill, the newest chief of police for the town of Truckee, is certain his move to the region will be a good for his family and his future.

McGill and#8212; a husband, father and grandfather and#8212; currently lives in Cape Elizabeth, a coastal town in the southern part of Maine.

and#8220;If you close your eyes and imagine Cape Elizabeth without the ocean, itand#8217;s a lot like Truckee in terms of size, rural feel and amenities,and#8221; McGill said in a recent phone interview from Iraq. and#8220;Sure the ocean is nice to have, but California has an ocean not too far away, and there are trade-offs to everything.and#8221;



McGill will assume his post this winter, but his family will not make the move until later in the year after his children have been released from school for their summer break.

His kids, he said, are typical kids.



and#8220;They are sad to leave their school and friends, but the move is a new adventure for them,and#8221; he said, and#8220;and they are excited Iand#8217;m coming home.and#8221;

McGill was calling from Iraq, where he has been employed since 2010 as a police adviser to Iraqi and U.S. embassy officials. He works rotations and#8212; three months overseas, followed by three weeks at home with his family.

and#8220;For sure, itand#8217;s been challenging work in a violent atmosphere,and#8221; he said. and#8220;Iand#8217;ve seen more in the last 18 months than in several years before. They donand#8217;t police here like we do in the U.S.and#8221;

McGill says his experiences in Iraq will make him more prepared to handle emergencies, and in general, more prepared to act as a police chief. He said never intended the international position to be permanent.

and#8220;Iand#8217;m very much looking forward to being a part of a community,and#8221; he said.

That desire was one of the qualities Town Manager Tony Lashbrook was looking for during the hiring process.

and#8220;We wanted someone with police experience who would embrace the mountain lifestyle,and#8221; Lashbrook said. and#8220;With McGill we found a well-rounded package.and#8221;

Prior to working in Iraq, McGill was the chief of police for two years for the town of Newman, Calif. He also served in management capacities in Ceres, Calif., and Modesto, Calif., for a total of 18 years.

McGill said his main priority as chief is to not let Truckeeand#8217;s already-low crime rates rise and#8212; or to reduce crime rates. He will wait to announce other goals and concerns.

and#8220;Itand#8217;s too early to say. Iand#8217;m not from inside this force, or even from a nearby department, so I want to give myself a chance to learn the ins-and-outs, learn what is being done well and what could be improved upon,and#8221; he said. and#8220;I want to immerse myself in the department before making any determinations.and#8221;

McGill will be sworn in as chief of police on Feb. 22. The ceremony is open to the public and will be held at the Truckee Town Hall in town council chambers at 4 p.m.

and#8220;McGill has an excellent reputation as an officer and chief,and#8221; Lashbrook said. and#8220;He also had a history of interfacing well with businesses. We look forward to having him and his family in the Truckee community.and#8221;

McGill echoed the sentiment.

and#8220;My family and I are attracted to the location, the outdoor activities, the climate, the seasons, the schools, the rural atmosphere,and#8221; he said. and#8220;Iand#8217;m excited to get started.and#8221;


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