BART GM appoints interim BART Police Chief

Former Berkeley Police Chief takes interim role while agency searches for permanent Chief

BART General Manager Dorothy Dugger announced that she will appoint a former Berkeley police chief to serve as the BART Police Department's interim chief while the agency conducts a nationwide search to permanently replace retiring Police Chief Gary Gee whose last day is December 30.

Former Berkeley Police Chief Daschel Butler's appointment will be effective after he clears the State of California's Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) administrative requirements. BART expects that to happen in mid January.

Butler became Berkeley's chief of police in 1990 after beginning his 31-year career in law enforcement with the Berkeley Police Department in 1971. He retired from Berkeley PD in May 2002.

"Daschel served the Berkeley Police Department as its chief for 12 years with distinction and honor," Dugger said. "He brings to BART a wealth of knowledge, respect and integrity. I'm pleased he's agreed to lead the BART Police Department on an interim basis until we find a permanent police chief."

BART is currently undergoing a nationwide search to fill Chief Gee's position. The public and the BART Board's Police Department Review Committee are assisting the General Manager in the search. In fact, members of the public can weigh in on the qualities and experience they would like to see in a new chief by filling out an on-line survey at www.bart.gov/policechief. The survey will be available until the close of business on January 7, 2010.

BART Police Department Commander Maria White will serve as the acting chief of police beginning at midnight on December 30 until Butler swears in as the interim chief.