After steering the department through this difficult time, Bakin retired Aug. 8 in a similar atmosphere, having been at odds with PSOA over supporting the city's recommended budget cuts to the department.

Officers looked upon Bakin more favorably when he was hired, calling him a "breath of fresh air," "innovative" and "progressive." The city's research showed there was reason to praise him: In his 27-year tenure with the Phoenix, Ariz., police department, Bakin rose to the rank of assistant police chief. During his career there, he'd headed four different departments and developed innovative programs of crime abatement, quick-response teams and neighborhood patrol squads. He'd been instrumental in developing a broad-based partnership with the community, and Phoenix's rank-and-file police officers thought highly of him.

Byron Pipkin, spokesman for the department, said the issues that came up when the department was restructured are still unresolved. However, Pipkin said the internal struggle in the department have not affected the quality of service to the community. In fact, he said Bakin has improved the department's outreach to the community.

Pat Vorreiter, who was a Sunnyvale city councilwoman at the time Bakin was hired, said he took the reins of public safety at a difficult time but did a good job overseeing the transition in the department's structure. "Ernie provided the residents with the same degree of safety and security, even with the change in resources," Vorreiter said, adding that Sunnyvale continued to be one of the top 10 safest cities in the country under his watch.

In October, Bakin, hurt his back and took a disability leave and did not return before he retired.

Acting Public Safety Director Bob Bradshaw, who has been in the position since June, will continue in the position until the city finds someone to take over. Pipkin said the city is just starting the search for Bakin's replacement.