Corona man balances campus police, council roles
Press-Enterprise 4/23/07
He's a captain and assistant chief of the Cal State Long Beach police force. Skipworth and his wife, Michell, are raising five children.
On April 16, the slayings at Virginia Tech University forced Skipworth and his department of 27 officers to review their readiness should such an incident occur on the Long Beach campus, which has 35,000 students.
Skipworth spearheaded the scheduling of a meeting this week of his agency with the Long Beach city police to review each other's plans and how they would work together should violence break out on campus, Cal State Long Beach Police Chief Jack Pearson said.
Last week, Skipworth met with university officials about his department's preparedness. The visibility of uniformed officers was increased on campus.
"We make sure we have our plans communicated ... so everyone understands what our plan is in responding to a crisis event," Skipworth said.
He started his career with the San Jacinto Police Department at age 19 after graduating from Rubidoux High School in 1978. He said he went into law enforcement to serve the community.
He moved to the Laguna Beach department in Orange County and then on to the Cal State Fullerton police force. In addition to helping students and answering calls for a police presence, Skipworth said he enjoyed working special events and providing protection for visiting dignitaries.
"I eventually got promoted and ended up at Long Beach," Skipworth said.
He's helped provide protection for Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and Gov. Schwarzenegger at Long Beach. Skipworth wins high marks from Pearson, the Cal State Long Beach chief.
"We get along great," Pearson said. "He covers my back. If I'm unable to make a meeting or some type of important function, he's always willing to cover and take my place."
Pearson said Skipworth has the ability "to balance reasonableness and common sense with the law. Not everything is black and white. He is very adept at looking at an issue or a problem with innovative solutions. He's continually looking within our department and finding ways for improvement."
Pearson said Skipworth is very good at directing the conversation in a meeting and getting people engaged and focused.
The challenge of balancing police work with City Council duties has not been difficult for Skipworth.
"Sometimes I have to take time off from work in Long Beach to be out here," he said.
Skipworth says he studies the City Council agenda word for word.
"It takes several hours to get through it," he said. "I confer with folks if I have questions."
Skipworth won a seat on the council last November after serving on the Planning Commission. Fellow Councilman Steve Nolan, himself an ex-officer, said police work prepared Skipworth for work in city government.
"It gives you the confidence and ability to kind of hit the ground running," Nolan said. "It's not a big adjustment period."
Nolan said Skipworth was ready to face a very difficult decision as to picking a master planner for the redevelopment of downtown Corona.
"He was able to participate and contribute research on the different applicants," Nolan said. "He came up with the absolute right choice (Forest City Enterprises). I was watching him through the decision-making process. He was cool, calm, professional."
Skipworth's police work weighed in the council's decision to ban smoking from public parks.
"His concern was not only yes, most citizens are in favor of them. How are we going to enforce it?" Councilwoman Karen Spiegel said.
Skipworth and his family have meshed well with the community, Spiegel said.
He's been involved in youth sports. Skipworth said he and his wife renew their wedding vows every five years. On their 15th anniversary, they did so in conjunction with a youth baseball game.