To say Lisa McConnell has been busy since the first of August is an understatement.

On that day, she took the reins from Jeff Kubel in her first day as Temeculas new chief of police.

I have not slowed down since the day I was promoted, which I love, she said.

Still, she carved out time to discuss her background, experience and priorities.

Q: Youre a Riverside County native?

A: Yes, I moved from Riverside to Murrieta in 2001.

Q: What excites you most about stepping into this new role?

A: I have a passion for policing and want to make a positive difference in the lives of the residents of our community. Im excited to interact with a diverse group of people within the Temecula area and encourage the men and women of the Temecula Police Department to be more engaged with the community.

Q: Can you share your top priorities for your tenure as chief of police?

A: We were just named the 13th safest city in the country and have routinely been ranked one of the safest cities.

I want to focus on maintaining that reputation while improving the communication, trust and partnership we have with the citizens we serve.

Engaging with the community is one of my top priorities. I would like to increase our involvement with the Boys and Girls Club, our Police Activity League and other community groups.

Q: Why did you choose to pursue graduate level studies psychology?

A: I obtained my bachelors degree in psychology before I joined the Sheriffs Department. I was interested in pursuing a career in counseling but, as fate would have it, I went into law enforcement.

Q: What value do you think that education brings to your work?

A: Understanding human behavior has helped me as a deputy on patrol and as a crisis negotiator.

Q: You sit on the board of directors of the nonprofit group project T.O.U.C.H. (Together Our Unity Conquers Homelessness). Do you see issues around homelessness as a priority moving forward?

A: Ive been involved with helping the homeless population since 2008. Being homeless is not a crime.

However, when we get complaints from concerned citizens about a homeless person, we respond to determine if a crime has been committed.

If we find the person is engaging in criminal activity such as trespassing, public intoxication, theft, vandalism, public urination, etc. we enforce the law and make arrests when possible.

But, if there is no violation of the law, our only option is to offer a homeless person resources to try to help them up and out of their homeless situation.

Q: How do you do that?

A: Our police department created a team to work on the issue of homelessness by reassigning four of our Problem Oriented Policing officers to a Homeless Outreach Team.

The Homeless Outreach Team works closely with the homeless and the citys pantry vendor, Community Mission of Hope.

The team employs a two-pronged approach: 1. a zero-tolerance stance on crime, and 2. a concerted effort to get law abiding homeless people the resources they need.

My involvement with Project Touch has helped me identify the many resources available to assist with the homeless population.

Q: Is there a goal you hope to achieve as chief of police?

A: My hope is we become more involved in our community. I believe community-oriented policing is effective.

I encourage neighborhood watch groups, and enjoy providing training and education to children, teens, families and seniors on various topics.

Q: Who, or what, inspires you?

A: Im inspired by survivors who are able to get back up, pick up the pieces and use the situation as a learning experience. These people refuse to let their circumstances define them.

Email: temecula@sduniontribune.com

More here:
New chief talks about her background, experience and priorities - The San Diego Union-Tribune