December 29, 2006

Retiring Captain Jack Farmer is known for policing from the heart

By Jeanne Carbone
Staff Writer

Most people know him simply as Jack, but his official designation is San Jose Police Department Southern Division Commander Capt. Jack Farmer. His confident, charismatic manner renders everyone he meets comfortable and trusting of the man and his abilities. On Jan. 13, after 30 years with the force, Jack is retiring at the age of 55 with the simple explanation that “it’s time.”

Capt. Farmer is retiring in January 2007 after a 30-year career with SJPD. Photo by Jeanne Carbon

“When I promoted Jack to Captain over two years ago, he told me that I would never regret it and that he would make me proud,” said San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis. “And he never let me down. A few months after I hired him people would come up to me and say ‘I was speaking to Jack’ or ‘Jack said,’ and then out of respect they would say, ‘I mean Capt. Farmer.’ He really integrates with the community and is down to earth.

“He’s the poster child of what a captain should be and he has so much energy – he’s like the Energizer bunny. I’m really sorry he’s leaving. I keep asking him, you’re going to retire in January 2008, right?” joked Davis.

Thirty years of service
And like the Energizer bunny, Capt. Farmer’s law enforcement career exemplifies a rapid ascension through SJPD to his current position as the southern division commander, which holds the largest geographical area to cover in the city and a population of over 350,000.

He started his 30 years of police service as a rookie on midnight patrol in Almaden. His superiors recognized his talent after a few years and asked him to apply for undercover narcotics, where Farmer says he “learned a great deal about police work.”

Farmer’s next assignment was as a field-training officer with new recruits. Farmer operates under the philosophy that “the very best police officers have heart,” and the best know that “just because someone is scruffy on the outside doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy.”

He was promoted to sergeant and back to midnight patrol. The vice unit commander then asked him to apply for undercover vice supervisor, where he served for four and half years.

Jack Farmer begins his law enforcement career with his graduating academy class in 1976. Farmer is second from the left in the top row. Photo courtesy of SJPD

“It’s a real compliment to work out of the chief’s office,” said Farmer, fondly remembering his career. “Vice, criminal intelligence, research and development, internal affairs; all those people work for the chief’s office. It’s a real privilege to have that opportunity.”

As an undercover vice supervisor, Farmer recalls the stings; alcohol related crimes, problem bars, illegal bookkeeping and prostitution. He remembers that time in his career as the most enjoyable, partly because he worked with Police Chief Joe McNamara and others. When coerced to name a couple of important arrests, he recalled busting up a million-dollar bookkeeping ring and one of the largest prostitution cases ever in the city, in which the investigation produced the names of over 50,000 solicitors.

“It will be a long time before we see another Jack Farmer,” said Sgt. Larry McGrady, who worked with Farmer in street crimes. “We’re losing a valuable commanding officer. He’s a great man who makes everybody feel at ease. He truly cares about the community and serving it.”

Next on his notable career, Farmer was asked to be a field-training supervisor for two years. In 1993, he was promoted to lieutenant and returned to the midnight shift. A high point in his life was a Thanksgiving when he and fellow officers catered dinner for the McKinley neighborhood, which was what he called “a crack down area.”

“We didn’t have enough funding for all the food so we all chipped in to put on a great holiday dinner,” said Farmer. “After dinner we observed some of the people had tucked food in their pockets to take home which was fine with us, we were just glad to have made a difference to them.”

At that time, SJPD became very active in community policing. Farmer recognizes this joint partnership with the community and the police force as the most significant change in the force from when he first started his career. With his easygoing, respectful manner, he is now recognized as one of SJPD’s experts in community policing.

The chief then assigned him to the street crime unit for special operations, which deals primarily with events downtown, as well as the many festivals. He worked in this unit for three years.

“I would be the counterpart for the Secret Service, so we were actively involved with all the high profile dignitaries,” said Farmer. “I can’t speak highly enough about the Secret Service, they’re great folks. I had the opportunity to meet President Clinton and his wife, Vice President Gore and his wife, Schwarzenegger. It was absolutely wonderful,” he said.

“I spent the whole day with Schwarzenegger before he was governor. He told me that his father was a police officer in Austria. We talked about how his dad made him do 100 push-ups every day. I enjoyed my time with him. He’s a very down-to-earth guy.”

This circa 1984 photo shows Officer Jack Farmer when he worked in undercover narcotics, complete with long hair and mustache, to infiltrate criminal groups. Photos courtesy of SJPD

Farmer then returned to vice and the criminal intelligence unit to run special investigations, which he called “a great job.” He was then assigned as the commander of the secondary Employment Unit, an administrative position facilitating off-duty officers who seek other policing employment. After a year and half, he was asked to attend the FBI national academy.

“It’s really an honor to be asked to go to the national academy,” said Farmer. “I went to Quantico [Virginia] for over three months, and loved it. I learned a great deal. I really think the world of the FBI and I enjoyed working with them. They make the participating agencies feel very special. And they get you in great shape physically and mentally.”

Farmer graduated from the FBI National Academy in September 2001. He had driven himself out to Quantico, and was on the long drive home during the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Philosophically, he acknowledges that had he not driven himself, “I might have been on the wrong plane that day. But, that’s the way fate is.”

When he returned from the FBI National Academy, Chief Davis asked Farmer to be the acting commander for the southern division. Farmer took the test and was promoted to captain in 2004. He became the southern division commander and, in addition, oversaw community services.

“I can’t say enough about Jack,” said District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle. “He has such an effusive way with the young, old and everyone in between, and he’s such a good listener. He is a fantastic problem solver and always available to help. He truly cares about the community. I hate to see him leave, and I will miss him.”

Three to four nights a week Farmer attended group and association meetings to deal with community crime concerns, and this is where his down-to-earth style and impressive knowledge of policing methods earned him many friends over the years. The relationships he has cultivated with the citizens he protects have earned him over 100 commendations and awards, and countless thank you letters from individual citizens and community groups.

“Jack is a quality leader and instructor,” said Lt. Dale Morgan. “He spent several years teaching new officers the complex, diverse and challenging job of being a police officer. In addition he has volunteered countless hours arranging and leading study groups for young officers and sergeants seeking promotions, a process that takes over a year.”

“Jack has often been referred to as smooth. His confident, concerned speaking style comes from his heart and from his love of community. And he is very hard working, focused and driven. It is clear that he has found his calling in police work even though he has been told often that he would have a successful career in politics,” added Morgan.

Humble beginnings
Farmer was born in St. Louis, Mo. in 1951. His parents moved to Richmond, Calif. in 1952 in search of the plentiful job market. His father became a bus driver and Fuller Brush salesman. His mother was a housewife caring for four children of whom Jack was the oldest. Academically inclined, the young boy read, played sports and dreamed of becoming an archeologist when he grew up. He never thought about becoming a police officer.

“I was a typical 1950s and 1960s teenager,” said Farmer. “I was all over the neighborhood and we never had to worry, even in Richmond. I lived there and got along with everybody.”

Vietnam was raging and, in 1969, Farmer joined the United States Navy at the urging of his father, who had served in the Marines Corps in World War II. When he returned home after a four-year stint, he continued his education at Diablo Valley Community College and Sacramento State, using the G.I. bill and working three part-time jobs to make ends meet. While pursuing his education, a professor who was a retired sheriff asked him, “Have you ever thought about becoming a cop?” He told the young man he thought he would be an excellent police officer. A seed was planted.

Captain Jack Farmer receives a special commendation from VEP Community Association President Marilyn Rodgers for his years of dedicated service and assistance to the community.

Farmer applied at several police departments in the Bay Area, and SJPD offered him a position. The young man was excited about his career choice as well as the $1,000 a month salary. He was hired on Jan. 28, 1977.

The future
Farmer has been married to his wife Nancy, a music teacher, for 26 years. They have two sons, Marc, 24, who graduated from Santa Clara University, and Robert, 15, who is a sophomore in high school. Marc works in the private sector but has applied to become a SJPD officer, passed all the tests and is awaiting a background check.

“I have mixed emotions,” said Farmer regarding his son considering a law enforcement career. “It’s dangerous work. You can get killed or seriously hurt. And so when you’re talking about your children, you don’t want them to get hurt.”

But for now Farmer is looking forward to retiring in January. He plans on spending time with his family, tailgating at 49er games, doing projects around the house and attending school to learn Spanish. He’s had numerous job offers, but is more interested in volunteering his time to various community causes.

And he’s excited about a full circle moment, when his 82-year-old father will join him on his last day of service as he did when his son first became a police officer in 1977.

Police work today
When Farmer became a police officer, San Jose’s population was 400,000. Today, it’s close to a million. In the 1970’s, a police officer on school grounds would be cause for alarm, now its common place and welcomed. But Farmer asserts that the best thing about police work today is the professional and personal partnerships.

Capt. Farmer will retire in January 2007 from his position as southern division commander, which holds the largest geographical area to cover in the city and a population of over 350,000.

“Chief Davis is a special individual, and I think the world of him,” said Farmer. “When he talks about partnerships with the communities he really means it, and I understand that. I’m very big on that. It’s part of who I am. I’ve gotten to know so many people out there on a first name basis…they’ll call me and let me know what the issues are and I’ll have an opportunity to work through their concerns. That’s the way it should be. Today the police really have a partnership with the community. It’s been very rewarding.”

Asked about heinous crimes Farmer has witnessed, he responds philosophically.

He believes that every officer has a file in their brain of all the death and horrific incidents they have seen. He says he especially appreciates the rigorous SJPD hiring process, because it assures that an individual applying for the force has the correct psychological make-up to adequately deal with witnessing the aftermath of horrendous events such as fatal accidents and murders.

“Mother Teresa said that when they’re alive I love them, and when they die I let them go,” quotes Farmer. “I feel very strongly about that sentiment. Police work is a great career. It’s hard to get hired because SJPD wants the very best, and you can feel very proud if you’re part of the force. The city of San Jose deserves the very best.”

“I’ve had a great career,” he continues. “I’ve been very fortunate and worked with some really great people and had a lot of support. I’ve had great bosses. It’s been a terrific time but it’s time for me to close this chapter. Am I a little apprehensive? Yes. But I’m also excited. I realize that it’s time to start a new chapter and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Capt. Jack, you will be missed.