Creativity, inspiration and passion are the hallmarks of jazz music as well as distinguishing characteristics of Calvin Handy's personality and even his career at UC Davis. But when the police chief retires at the end of this year, he will once again be focusing more on horns than guns and on gigs instead of meetings.

Not to say that musical metaphors haven't played into Handy's 30-year law enforcement career, first at UC Berkeley and for the past 12 years at Davis. Running an organization, he says, is like conducting a band -- it's basically people working together to produce a great product. Handy directs an office of 51 sworn officers, 32 staff members and 50 student employees.

A musician who can handle anything from classical oboe to jazz and R&B on the saxophone, Handy said that just as a good band engages its audience, the reputation of police officers is enhanced by building relationships with the community. His career has been marked by reaching out to student leaders, staff organizations and faculty and staff as well as local police and state and federal organizations.

Outreach within the department also has been a priority, he said. In 2001, the chief encountered low morale among the officers. He regrouped -- developing an organization focused on better access to senior managers, building bridges between sworn and civilian staff and renewed efforts to improve compensation. "We all worked hard to improve communication, teamwork and trust," Handy said, noting, "the senior managers, supervisors, and sworn and civilian staff have always been the key to any success we have experienced."

Fast forward a few years and now officers' patrol cars are equipped in a standardized manner; relevant, consistent and effective training for all department employees has been made a priority; and the communications center, "which was technologically archaic," Handy notes, has been completely redesigned and updated.

After a thorough review, in 2001 the police department decided to become a member of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, which ultimately provides a set of best practices and consistent standards. Every area of the department has benefited from accreditation, from training processes and business services to field operations and investigations, Handy said.

By 2005 the department will have established an emergency operations center for the campus and added much-needed administrative space for staff, he said.

"I am also very proud of the growing diversity of the police department," Handy said. "We want the department to reflect the community."

Handy also was instrumental in helping to create an annual student/police community forum, starting in 1998. The ASUCD wanted to work on issues related to the experiences of students of color and police officers, Handy said, and the forums established a dialogue "in an environment where all participants felt safe."

After retirement, Handy plans to power down from his 60-hour work weeks and travel to Europe, South Africa and Argentina. And he plans to continue to perform as part of the seven-member Davis Jazz Combo band -- the featured group at the Woodland Opera House on Feb. 26.

Handy credits much of his success in life to the influence of his grandmother, Callie Montgomery, who raised him in Shreveport, La. "She had boundless enthusiasm and taught me how to see the world positively. I learned early on that working hard and smart was important for success, and success always includes enhancing communication and recognizing those who get the work done."

What got you into law enforcement?

I was a Bay Area college student majoring in music in 1966 when Uncle Sam called. After high school I had moved to the Bay Area, where I learned a lot about R&B and jazz and made a few bucks, too. I joined the military thinking I might get to play in the Air Force Band, but that didn't work out and my career as a military police officer began. The rest is history.

If not for law enforcement, what would you do?

I would have been a high school or college band director, probably somewhere in the South. I was a straight-A student in musical studies.

Who is your favorite sax player?

I can't name just one. The list would include Hank Mobley, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Art Pepper and Cannonball Adderley. Jazz is an art form developed in this country generally based on African rhythms, European chord structure and blues. The players I like are masters of the saxophone -- each has contributed to the field of jazz or taken it to a higher level.

What's something about you people don't know?

I have never been a protester. Well, maybe a little during the civil rights movement in high school. But, in a law enforcement career it just doesn't happen. So, after I retire, I am going out and protest something. Also, I am an avid science fiction and fantasy reader. I just read Harry Turtledove's Between the Rivers, which deals heavily with the question of free will. It also does a fantastic job of depicting a Mesopotamian culture and humanity breaking free from the rule of gods and superstition.

What are your most treasured possessions?

My feeling of connection with people and the campus community. Also music -- it gives me the emotional and spiritual strength I need to help me think and feel my best.

What are you going to miss most after retiring?

The generous, committed people in the police department, excitement of dealing with immediate crime and security problems and the challenge of keeping our campus safe.

What's next for you?

I probably will offer my insights on public safety issues to other universities. I also want to serve the community and particularly economically deprived children. I'd like to get involved in a surrogate grandparenting program because a lot of kids have no idea what a grandparent is. And, of course, I will always be exploring some kind of music project. •