DATE: Wednesday, May 7, 1997                TAG: 9705070450

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ANGELITA PLEMMER, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   77 lines

PORTSMOUTH POLICE CHIEF IS WOOED TO NEWPORT NEWS

Dennis A. Mook became the new chief of police in Newport News on Tuesday, ending more than two decades of service with the Portsmouth Police Department.

Mook, Portsmouth's chief since 1994, will lead the state's fourth-largest city police department - with more than 350 sworn officers, 131 civilian employees and a $23 million budget.

Mook's salary and starting date are under negotiation, but Newport News officials say he could be paid as much as $90,270 annually.

``I'm very excited and enthusiastic about meeting the challenges that lie ahead,'' Mook said. ``Newport News is known for an extremely talented and professional staff.''

Newport News City Manager Ed Maroney said Mook had been given ``unqualified support'' by a seven-member search committee that chose him from 86 candidates.

``His demonstrated competence and strength in community policing programs; his communication skills and commitment to involving the community in anti-crime partnerships; and his sensitivity to the causes of crime all add up to a superior chief, and one which I believe our city will come to depend on for ideas, leadership and results,'' Maroney said.

Howard E. Gwynn, the Newport News commonwealth's attorney and a member of the search committee, said Mook's enthusiasm and passion for his work were impressive.

``In these kinds of jobs you not only need to have good, competent professionals, but good human beings,'' he said.

Mook, 45, joined the Portsmouth Police Department in 1974. He has received state and national attention for starting community policing programs and spearheading the city's first crime summit.

Last year, Mook announced several new crime-fighting initiatives to target violent crime in conjunction with the commonwealth's attorney's office. The department also began working with a federal task force.

Mook said the move will allow him to pursue new professional and personal challenges. He cited Newport News' educational resources, safe neighborhoods and commitment to public safety and public service.

The move is a step up for Mook. Portsmouth, with a population of 101,900, has a police force of 240 sworn officers. Newport News' population is 180,000.

Similarities in demographics and crime statistics between the two cities might allow for some aspects of Portsmouth's community policing and other programs in Newport News, he said.

``Something we need to do is identify what neighborhoods have what problems,'' Mook said. ``The key seems to be getting the community involved.''

In Portsmouth, ``I feel that I've achieved some success,'' Mook said. ``My heart and soul has been deeply entrenched in Portsmouth.''

Mook's leadership had begun to produce results in Portsmouth. Last year, violent crime dropped 29 percent - the first decrease in more than a decade.

City Manager Ronald W. Massie said Mook was an excellent chief of police who brought stability to the department and built strong ties with neighborhoods.

``I am very sorry to lose him,'' Massie said. ``But it is kind of flattering in a way that you have people good enough that they would be considered for other positions in the region.''

Mook said he has made no recommendation for a successor but will be meeting with Massie next week.

Col. John Tucker will be interim chief while the city searches for Mook's replacement. Massie said he has neither a timetable for naming a new chief nor any candidates.

Joseph Wright, a longtime neighborhood patrol leader in Cavalier Manor, said relatives, friends, neighbors and even police officers called him Tuesday to talk about what the loss of the police chief would mean.

``They just hate to see the chief go,'' Wright said. ``All of them had gotten to know him and they liked his ideas, especially the community involvement.''

``We're all upset that he's leaving because he's done such a good job for us,'' said John Burton, a community policing officer. ``He's a real police officer's chief. He was a real people person.'' MEMO: Staff Writers Battinto L. Batts Jr. and Janie Bryant contributed

to this report. ILLUSTRATION: Dennis A. Mook

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