At SDPD's SE Div, Tony McElroy's Day at City Hall. Did a great job, he will be missed. pic.twitter.com/ZrYrodagX7
— B Pollard (@BarryBpollard) June 24, 2014The San Diego City Council proclaimed Tuesday as "Captain Tony McElroy Day."
McElroy is retiring Friday after 32 years on the San Diego police force. He's captain of the department's southeastern division, which covers the city's historically black neighborhoods. Raised in the community himself, McElroy is hailed by residents for his commitment to the community and leadership on police race relations.
"I think it's going to be a great loss, because he was man of the community," said Mario Lewis, a community activist and barbershop owner who looked up to McElroy while attending O’Farrell Junior High School and Morse High School. "He understood the community and really tried to make change within the ranks. I believe he knew there was a culture (in the department) that had festered for so long "
Recent reports on police racial profiling and controversy over a mural in the southeastern station that some white officers said offended them because it depicted "too many" black leaders have renewed talks about race and policing in San Diego.
But Lewis said McElroy fought early on to have his police division better reflect the diversity of the community it serves. McElroy also brought community leaders such as Lewis into the station to build trust and mutual understanding between officers and the community.
McElroy attended San Diego State and National universities. He joined the department in 1982 and rose through the ranks, working for the gang, narcotics and juvenile investigations units. He also held leadership roles in the southern division and SWAT team.
Despite his success, Lewis said McElroy stayed true to his southeastern roots.
"I never once in my life saw him get out of character," Lewis said. "That’s the judge of a man's character. He never changed from who we saw him be."
Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman has not yet announced McElroy's replacement. She took feedback from community members at a town hall meeting June 10 about the characteristics they wish to see in the division's new leader.
McElroy is one of a handful of the department's top brass to retire since 2013. Hundreds of others in the department are also reaching retirement age.
