City of Davis

City Manager Announces Members of Three-Person Police Advisory Committee

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May 3, 2006

In late February, City staff proposed the creation of a three-person Police Advisory Committee to review citizen complaint investigations and provide recommendations to the City Manager on Police Department policies and training.  Newly appointed City Manager Bill Emlen announced today the three members he has appointed to serve on the Committee: Calvin Handy, Joseph Taylor, and David Sandino.

Mr. Calvin Handy has extensive experience in law enforcement, having retired from UC Davis after twelve years of service as the Chief of Police and retaining the title Chief of Police, Emeritus.  Mr. Handy concurrently served, from 2000 to 2003, as the Coordinator of Police Services for the police departments of the nine campuses in the University of California system.  In his 30 year law enforcement career, 24 of those years involved administrative experience dealing with citizen complaints, both at UC Davis and at Berkeley.  Emlen notes Handy’s expertise with law enforcement practices and issues and familiarity with the Davis community as important considerations in his selection.  “I know the community well, having led the UC Davis police force for 12 years,” explained Mr. Handy.  “I have significant experience dealing with the citizen complaint process and an extensive background in police-community relations.” 

Joseph Taylor has over a decade of experience as a Professor of Law at McGeorge School of Law, teaching trial advocacy and working to prepare law students to handle jury trials.  Prior to his tenure with McGeorge, Mr. Taylor spent the majority of his career in the public sector.  He has work as the Public Defender for the County of Riverside, a Senior Attorney with the Ventura District Attorney’s Office, and the Assistant Chief Deputy for the Sacramento District Attorney’s Office.  Emlen remarked that the diversity and depth of Taylor’s knowledge of the legal system is invaluable to his ability to contribute to the committee’s mission.  Mr. Taylor said, “I am honored to participate on the Police Advisory Committee, and I look forward to applying more than 40 years of service in the legal profession to serving the city of Davis.”

David Sandino works for the California Department of Water Resources as acting chief counsel.  His areas of expertise include water, environmental and energy issues.  He has also taught several law courses, including local government law, at Santa Clara and Golden Gate University Schools of Law.  Mr. Sandino, a UC Davis graduate, has served on the Davis Planning Commission and the Natural Resources Commission.  “I have been involved in the Davis community in the past through my work on city commissions, and I am eager to continue public service to my community by participating on the Police Advisory Committee,” Mr. Sandino stated.  Emlen explained, “Sandino’s disciplined legal mind, respect for process, familiarity with the community, and track record of being an independent thinker were all key considerations in his selection.”

City Manager Bill Emlen said, “We are bringing to conclusion several weeks of searching for the right combination of expertise and background.  I believe that these three individuals not only have outstanding backgrounds in legal and law-enforcement related issues, but also possess the sincerity and commitment necessary to make the Police Advisory Committee effective.”

The Committee will meet with the City Manager quarterly to review police investigations and make recommendations about police policies and training to the City Manager.

Bill Emlen
City of Davis
City Manager