Pleasanton - Timothy Neal was named Pleasanton's police chief Tuesday, fulfilling what he said was a life long dream.

    Neal, who is a police chief of Tracy, has a reputation for involving his staff in decisions and including the community in such things as hiring new officers.  In fewer than two years, he helped Tracy earn nine federal grants that beefed up his staff by 10 employees.

    A bonus is that Neal, 44, already lives in Pleasanton, said City Manager Deborah Acosta, who made the appointment.

    "I don't think we could have found a better match," Acosta said.

    Neal, a 20-year resident of Pleasanton, started his career in 1976 in Union City and worked his way up.  In 1987, he was hired in Mountain View and later promoted to captain.  In 1997, he was appointed police chief in Tracy, a community of about 50,000 residents in the San Joaquin Valley.

    "There is no doubt that I have wanted to combine my dream with the community I love," Neal said.  "I'm attached to Pleasanton."

    Neal, who beat 80 other applicants from across the country, replaces Police Chief Bill Eastman, who retires this year after leading the force for 18 years.

    Described by Tracy residents and police officers as dynamic, energetic and cutting-edge, Neal takes over Pleasanton's department of 114 sworn and non-sworn employees and an $11 million budget on Aug. 30.

    "Pound for pound, Tracy had the best chief in the state, said Tracy City Manager Fred Diaz.  "Pleasanton has found one outstanding young man."

    Neal didn't originate the "community policing" program in Tracy, but he implemented it, locals said.  He asks for input from his staff and the community on such neighborhood issues as how to curb speeding and how to plan youth activities, said Mayor Ben Bilbrey.  But when forced to make tough decisions, he does.

    "He has the ability to relate not only with officers but to reach out to the community members," Bilbrey said.

    Acosta met with city commissions to develop a profile of the desired characteristics for a police chief.

    "I wanted someone with high energy," she said.  "(Neal) is bright, creative and a high-energy person."

    Although he commuted to Tracy, he was never seen as an outsider by its residents.  He developed a reputation for partnerships in the community and being accessible to the community.

    He put a citizen on the board that interviews prospective police officers, said Gary Hampton, chief of Tracy's services division.

    "H brings a lot of resources and contacts," Hampton said. "He seems to know everyone in law enforcement, and not just the state."

    Neal has been involved in community organizations from Pleasanton Unified School District's youth risk survey to Boy Scouts of America.  He said he will spend the first few months on the job getting to know the department.

    "That agency has enjoyed a tremendous reputation," he said.  "What Bill Eastman has left me is a credible foundation to build upon."

The Valley Times - Wednesday, July 21, 1999

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