The Last Of The Originals

When Robert Priebe was sworn in as an officer with the Moraga Police Department in December 1979, he figured he'd probably stay a few years and then move on.

Little did Priebe know that in 2013 he'd be police chief and the last original employee from that squad that hit the streets on Jan. 1, 1980.

On paper, the department isn't much different than it was 33 years ago.

In 1980, it had 10 sworn officers. Today, it has 12.

The town remains small with about 16,000 residents. Many of the officers' duties haven't changed. And Priebe still has the same enthusiasm.

"I still love catching the bad guys," he said. "I love being able to help solve people's problems."

It hasn't always been joyful times. There have been a handful of murders and some grisly car accidents. And there was the tense 1995 labor negotiations that almost convinced Priebe to leave. Through it all, he stayed.

"The reason I'm still here is the people in this community," said Priebe. "It's also a place that I have helped build."

Priebe grew up in El Sobrante, graduating from De Anza High School. He obtained an associate arts degree from Contra Costa College before attending U.C. Davis.

He took a criminal justice course while at the community college and became enamored with law enforcement.

"I thought it was the best thing ever," he recalled. "I said, I want to do that."

However, in those days police officers had to be at least 5-foot-10. Priebe stood at 5-8.

So, he went to work for Bio-Rad Laboratories in Richmond for six years.

The rules on officers' heights eventually changed and Priebe became interested in law enforcement again after taking a ride-a-long in a Berkeley patrol vehicle.

"I thought it was a great job and a perfect for me," he said.

Priebe was hired by the Berkeley Police Department in 1978. He thought he was going to stay there awhile.

However, a year later he got a call from Tom Simms, his drill instructor from the police academy. Simms was going to be a lieutenant in the police department the recently incorporated Town of Moraga was forming and wanted Priebe to hop on board.

Priebe told Simms he wasn't interested, but Simms was determined. He called Priebe's wife, Tracy.

Priebe said his wife talked to him about the safer working conditions in Moraga and he decided to make the move.

Priebe discovered the town to be quite welcoming.

"People out here absolutely loved us and embraced us," he said. "It was such a different environment."

Back then, the police department was in a trailer on Moraga Way. They eventually moved to 350 Rheem Boulevard, where they were stationed for 25 years before settling into their current nearby offices at Moraga Town Hall.

One of the department's first challenges was to acclimate the students at St. Mary's College, who were accustomed to only the occasional Contra Costa County Sheriff's car rolling by.

After a few years, Priebe said, the college students realized the new Moraga department was going to keep a closer eye on things.

A challenge that remains is patrolling the relatively large acreage of Moraga with a small force. On most shifts, there are still only two officers on patrol.

"It always a challenge to provide the service that people deserve on a shoestring," said Priebe.

Another problem is retaining employees. Moraga can't offer the salary or the excitement a larger force can. In addition, officers in Moraga need to do everything from typing their reports to investigating their cases. That provides little opportunity for special assignments and promotions.

So, Priebe looks for special qualities and dedication when he's hiring officers.

"I'm so proud of what we do," he said.

Over the years, there's been some rough times.

Besides the murders, there have been a couple sexual abuse cases that have been difficult to investigate. There was also a car accident in which a young woman was killed as well as the 2005 accident where a car fatally struck a pedestrian.

"I hope I never have to see something like that again," said Priebe.

In 1995, there were some divisive labor talks with the city. Priebe was head of the Moraga Police Officers Association and had an inside look at the bitter negotiations.

Priebe said he almost left after that episode because of the acrimony between the police department and city leaders.

However, he decided to stick it out and is glad he did. Priebe said relations with town management and elected officials have improved greatly the past 18 years.

Priebe was appointed interim police chief in December 2008. In April 2009, he was permanently promoted to the position.

Priebe lives in Pleasant Hill. He and his wife have three grown children. One of his sons is an officer with the Pleasant Hill Police Department.

Priebe said he views Moraga as a second home because he not only works here but also does a lot of volunteerism in the community with organizations like the Kiwanis Club of Moraga Valley.

"I feel like this is my hometown," he said.

Priebe isn't sure yet when he'll retire, but it may come sometime soon.

He has a lieutenant retiring next spring and after he hires a new person for that position, he may start grooming someone to take his place as chief.

"When I leave, I want to feel like this department is ready to continue on," he said.