New Captain Takes Command at Richmond Station

By Jonathan Farrell

Entering the Richmond Police Station's door at Sixth Avenue near Geary Boulevard the public is welcome, even with the latest security measures in place. Approaching the big window, as if walking up to a box office at a theater, two police officers are attending to phone calls and assisting a mother and her two teenagers have just walked in to file a report their new car being vandalized.

"I can't believe it!" exclaimed the mother. "It happened right out in front of our house. Both front tires are gone."

While filling out the paperwork the officers try to console them, offering advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of theft. "The captain will see you," one of the officers announces. The large double-doors to the station's inner-foyer open and Capt. Sandra Tong, the newly appointed commanding officer at the Richmond Station, greets a reporter for a short interview in her office.

"I am excited to be back," said Tong, who since November has settled into her new position at the Richmond District Police Station. "I am excited to be back among the people in the community."

For Tong, being able to serve the community is what it's really all about. She has been a police officer for more than 20 years and spent her first nine years in the Mission District as a patrol officer.
"If you have been away from being on patrol for awhile, the first 10 years of that experience and training comes back easily," she said.

Being active in the community is what she enjoys most about her job in police work. "I love to be on patrol and to interact with people; I am a people person." Tong also has years of experience in investigation and administrative work.

"What I bring to this job are the years I spent working with former Police Chief Fred Lau. I think my experience is well rounded," she said.

About 15 years ago the Richmond Station was remodeled and seismically upgraded.

"The Richmond Station was the first," Tong said.

Tong is confident few obstacles will upset her goals of serving the Richmond District community. "My goal is to work with the community," she said.

Tong has a strong sense of "teamwork" and hopes to "work in collaboration with the various departments, agencies and bureaus that make up local and statewide law enforcement and government."

"I really don't see any obstacles." she said. "I have already had several meetings and I am eager to resolve some of the issues that are concerns to this district, such as traffic issues, vandalism, graffiti and burglaries."

One of Tong's plans is to provide a traffic program that works with the police department's Traffic Bureau. The focus is the safety of drivers and pedestrians, especially the elderly.

In terms of burglaries and serious crimes she feels the Richmond is a safe neighborhood that is "steady in the decrease of that kind of crime."

"The crime stats for this past year will be presented at the Police Commission Meeting in February and the public is invited to attend," she said.

Enthusiastic about her experience with the community, she was part of the CPOP pilot program started in San Francisco in the late 1980s. CPOP is an acronym for the Community Patrol Officer Program, which began in New York City in 1984. The basic idea is to concentrate on the problem-solving process, putting it at the "beat level."

According to a 1990 research study by the New York City Institute of Justice, the best aspect of the program is "improved relations between police and the community." Since that time it has become known as "community policing" and the concept has spread to other major cities in the United States and British Columbia. Tong wants to continue community policing and sees it as vital for crime fighting.

"This station has a great staff that represents the diversity of the City. It also has a good balance of men and women."

Tong says the staffing level for Richmond Station calls for 103 people. Currently, there are 95, a number that varies depending on Police Academy recruits that graduate and the number of officers who retire. The city budget, she said with a laugh - is the primary factor that determines the staffing level at the station.
Tong is looking forward to writing a monthly column for the Richmond Review and attending the Community/Police Forum that is held once a month in the Community Room at the Richmond Station. The public is invited to attend.