As a young schoolboy learning the history of the United States of America, I often went and asked questions of my mother. Although my father had a keen knowledge of U.S history, he was born and raised in Ireland and did not experience being brought up as an American kid. My mom, on the other hand, was born and raised in San Francisco during the depression and World War II.
I can still remember my mom telling me that the only President she knew as a child and into her teenage years was Franklin D. Roosevelt. When FDR died, he was serving in his fourth term as President of the United States. My mother simply knew of no other President. During her young life, the president had always been FDR. To this day my mom still thinks that FDR was one of the greatest Presidents ever to serve in that office, as do so many from her generation.
Now fast forward to the present day. Knowing that the vast majority of officers in the SFPD have less than twenty years on the job, it is probable that most members of the POA cannot remember a time when Gary Delagnes was not serving as either Vice President or President of this organization. Gary served thirty-five years in the SFPD, and was an outstanding street cop throughout his career. But his true legacy will be his twenty six-year tenure at the POA. He has served on numerous POA committees; he was elected as a representative on the Board of Directors, elected three terms as Vice President, then to three terms as President. Gary's strong leadership, savvy negotiation skills, and true loyalty to the membership through his representation have benefited all current and past officers of the San Francisco Police Department.
Gary entered the SFPD in 1978. He served with distinction at Mission Station, Central Station, the Tactical Division, and PBTF (Patrol Bureau Task Force). In 1992, he was promoted to Inspector. He then served at Vice, Fraud, and the Narcotics Division. He has been awarded two Bronze Medals Of Valor, two Meritorious Conduct Awards, seven Police Commission Commendations, and over one hundred Captain’s Complementary Reports. I know that he personally considered his days on the streets as his most enjoyable time in the SFPD. He often speaks of those days, and loves to reflect on his colorful war stories. He highlighted some of those stories in the May edition of the Journal.
I had the pleasure of working with Gary in the Narcotics Division for a number of years. He led several teams in the Unit. His chronological reports left a lot to be desired, and he had more open cases than Perry Mason, yet he absolutely excelled in other areas. Gary had -- and still has -- a tremendous ease in connecting with people. He was able to sit down with any victim, suspect, or informant and immediately establish a rapport with them. The interviews and the interrogations that he conducted led to some of the largest seizures of narcotics and assets in the history of the SFPD. Just ask Gary. He has never been shy about tooting his own horn.
Having served as POA Vice President and now President, I think I know why Gary loved to talk so much about his work in the SFPD, and not as much about what he did at the POA. As the new POA President, I am now detailed full time to the office. It is very important work, but both Gary and I really just want to be cops and serve the citizens of our city. This position of POA President is endlessly administrative and very restrictive. He and I love our jobs and working the streets. It’s what we both signed on to do. Since we can't do the work today, then we must reminisce about the most memorable moments of our past.
When Gary asked me in 2004 to fill the vacancy as POA Treasurer, I agreed without hesitation. Why? I knew that I could continue to learn from him and hopefully I would be able to help my fellow officers. I was not disappointed. To see Gary in action as the POA President over the years has been a roller coaster ride to say the least. That said, he has been, and continues to be, savvy, strategic, rude, comical, loud, empathetic, friendly, insulting, and most of all brilliant at times. Thankfully, he does not display all of these qualities at once. But when used at the right time and in the proper situation, he knows how to get the desired reaction. That’s an art.
Gary is never at a loss for words. He never pulls his punch, either with the Chief, the Police Commission, the Board of Supervisors, or the media. When it is about the defense of his members, he is steadfast. This often landed him in hot water and made for amusing headlines in the daily San Francisco newspapers. The goal was always to protect the rights of the members and ensure that they were treated fairly and equitably. He has never regretted standing up for the rank-an-file.
By far, Gary's greatest achievements within the POA have been his negotiation of the last six MOUs. His skill in connecting with people has resulted in positive relationships with SFPD command and elected city leaders. These relationships are invaluable when it comes to meet-and-confer and seeing agreements through to approval by the Board of Supervisors or the voters. I know it has been stated before -- and some might be tired of hearing it -- but Gary Delagnes through his dedication and down right hard work over the past 26 years has increased the wages and benefits of all members of the SFPD from 95th in the state to the highest level in this country. I have witnessed this first-hand having served with Gary on the most recent negotiating committee, and having served with him on the past two re-openers. His instinct and ability to stay two steps ahead of the game is at times just a marvel to watch.
For those who know me and know of my working so closely with Gary also know that I do not throw a lot of compliments in his direction. Like others who have served as representatives or on the Executive Board, I have not always agreed whole-heartedly with him. Still, despite our differences, we have always been able to do what is right for the membership. His passion and dedication has always risen to the highest level, and I agree with the substance of Paul Chignell's statement in last months edition of the Journal; Gary Delagnes has been the best leader of the POA, and one of the finest Presidents this organization ever seen.
Gary's last day on the job with the SFPD, and his last board meeting as POA President, was Wednesday May 22nd. A large number of our members showed up at the POA building to congratulate Gary on his years of service and to thank him for all his work. Even after Gary left the building, members continued to arrive at the POA looking to offer their best wishes to Him and his ever-abiding wife, Sue. Below is the text on the plaque that was presented to Gary as a small token of appreciation from the Board of Directors.
When the late great Elvis Presley finished his performances crowds would remain gathered at the venues to get just another glimpse of him. The promoters would have to announce that Elvis had left the building just to disperse the crowds. I thought of this on the 22nd when members continued to arrive at the POA to see Gary.
Well ladies and gentlemen, Gary Delagnes has left the building.
Slainte!
