City Manager Aaron Adams announced that Jeffrey Allen Kubel, a captain and 23-year veteran of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, has been appointed as the new Temecula Chief of Police effective Thursday, August 8th.
Sheriff Sniff recommended Captain Kubel for selection of Chief of Police due in part to his previous eleven combined years of service to the City of Temecula and Temecula Valley area. Sheriff Sniff said, “Captain Kubel will be a positive asset to the Temecula Police Department due to his years of experience in law enforcement, his varied experience in the many operations of the Sheriff’s Department and from his previous involvement with the City of Temecula.”
Kubel succeeds Andre O’Harra, who has served as Temecula’s Police Chief since June of 2009. “On behalf of the City, I want to thank Chief O’Harra for his dedicated service to the City of Temecula,” stated Adams. “Chief Kubel will be following a history of excellence in public safety and I have full confidence in his leadership as Temecula’s next Police Chief.”
Chief Kubel began his law enforcement career with the Sheriff’s Department in July, 1990. Chief Kubel has held assignments in the Corrections Division, serving at the Robert Presley and Southwest Detention Centers, Patrol Division, working as a Deputy, Sergeant and Lieutenant at the Southwest Sheriff’s Station, which also serves the City of Temecula as the Temecula Police Department, Sheriff’s Administration, Corrections Planning and most recently as the commander of the Sheriff’s Court Services.
“Chief Kubel understands the high priority placed on community safety and we welcome him to the City team,” stated Mayor Mike Naggar. Public Safety is the City’s top priority representing the largest single portion of the City of Temecula General Fund at 48% of the City’s FY 2013-14 operating budget. The City of Temecula contracts with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for Police services. Chief Kubel will lead a police force that maintains the City Council directive of no less than one sworn officer per one thousand residents.