Yakima's new police chief talks change

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Dominic Rizzi took on the job as Yakima's police chief with a big task of improving the department's image. Two months in he says changes are on the way.

Rizzi is a quiet, humble man from Chicago taking charge and making changes to the department.

>>>Click here to watch the full interview

Reporter: "When you were being interviewed, you said that Yakima's police department needed direction. What did you mean by that?" 

Rizzi: "What I believe we need is to look at our supervision and make sure everyone is in line with where they are supposed to be. So the first approach I am looking at is tightening up the sergeant level lieutenant level of supervision."

Reporter: "Why do you think there was no direction previously?"

Rizzi: "Well, one, they were without a chief." 

Reporter: "What about before the time we didn't have a chief when Granato was chief?"

Rizzi: "I can't speak for Mr. Granato and how he did things but I can say the longer someone is in a position sometimes complacency comes in to play."

Reporter: "Did Granato do a good job?"

Rizzi: "All I can look at is the department how it is now and this is a very well-trained very professional organization."

Reporter: "What about looking at our current crime rates here in Yakima would you say he did a good job?"

Rizzi: "Yes, I would."

Crime Rate

That's not to say he doesn't want to bring the crime rate down. In fact, Rizzi has plans to do that using the legal system.

Reporter: "So, you want to actually change some laws and some ordinances?" 

Rizzi: "Yes. Al Capone wasn't put in jail because of all the murders and shake downs and violent crimes. He was put in jail for tax evasion. So, there are other means to go after criminal aspect."  

Reporter: "Our gangs here, what do you think about them?"  

Rizzi: "Most gangs started in Chicago. So, I have a lot of experience of how they evolved and the problems that are associated with it and we are going to make sure we don't make the same mistakes."   

Reporter: "Are are going to work to keep them from growing and then how are you going to I guess combat the ones that are in existence?"

Rizzi: "Ah you know sometimes people are a lost cause and the only way to address that is one they make the determination it's better for them to get out of the gang or number two we do our best to put them in prison."

Reporter: "Is there anything that you think people could measure you in two years or five years where people can say Yakima's crime rates were like this when Rizzi came in and now they are like this because of work that he's doing as chief."

Rizzi: "The citizens are very good at evaluating. So, in two years, if you go out to the citizens and ask them, they will absolutely let you know if I did a good job." 

Reporter: "You seem pretty confident."

Rizzi: "I love what I do."

Chief Rizzi says he makes it a point to get in the field and work alongside his officers