This emphasis on the community's role in safety isn't surprising, considering soon-to-be Chief Don Johnson has lived in Sunnyvale for more than 20 years and worked as an officer here for 22 years. His wife has also owned a successful downtown business for six years.

On Jan. 31, the city will swear Johnson into office. He'll take over the department after almost a year of transition that saw three interim chiefs--Michael Maehler, Bob Bradshaw and Pat Dwyer. During that period, the city also lost its city manager, city attorney, human resources director and library director. The first of those vacancies was permanently filled with the appointment of City Manager Amy Chan. Johnson's is the second position to be filled, and city spokesman John Pilger said he expects to fill the other positions in the coming months.

"That's really a part of growth--this kind of change--and with the appointment of a department of public safety director, we've taken a big step," Pilger said.

Johnson, 46, served in Sunnyvale from 1979 until 2001 in almost every area of public safety. He was an evidence technician, a neighborhood resource officer, a fire truck operator and training lieutenant. After that he spent nine years as a captain for police, administrative and fire services.

In August 2001, he left Sunnyvale to take over the position of police chief in Los Altos, which he held until now.

In Los Altos, Johnson led a police department of 31 sworn officers with a budget of $6.5 million. In Sunnyvale, he will take over leadership of 210 public safety officers and a $54 million budget. He said he's excited about the challenge.

In his nine years as a Sunnyvale captain, Johnson oversaw several budgets, so he is familiar with both the city's budgeting process as well as its Performance and Management System.

Johnson is also familiar with the department and staff he is now in charge of. He said about a third of the department's personnel are new to him, but he's spending the time before his swearing in meeting the employees and officers and touring fire stations and other facilities.

"Sunnyvale has tremendous talent and ability, and I think we need to exploit all these talents to the benefit of the residents of Sunnyvale," he said.

The primary way he wants to help Sunnyvale is by improving the department's communication and cooperation with the community, as well as with neighboring cities.

During his time in Los Altos, Johnson said he was part of many joint efforts with neighboring cities to solve crimes. "A boundary does not stop someone from coming into town and committing a crime," Johnson said.

In one instance, a sexual-assault suspect was caught with help from officers from Mountain View. He said by cooperating, all cities can help each other maintain the Bay Area's high quality of life.

Johnson emphasized the importance of city programs like after-school activities. Even though many of them are run through the department of parks and recreation, the success of those programs benefits the entire city, including public safety, so the department has a responsibility to help where it can.