Former Dixon Police Chief Having Busy, Fun Retirement

Former Chief Don Mort does not believe in letting the moss grow under his feet. Since he retired in 2009, he has been as busy as ever teaching aspiring officers, consulting and volunteering.

"I'm the Basic Academy police coordinator at Napa Valley College so I'm the coordinator for the four academy classes that run in Napa," he said. "Even though I was working for Dixon, I was still a part time instructor at two police academies in Napa and in Contra Costa County."

In addition to his academy duties, Mort does consulting for other law enforcement agencies on management audits and criminal investigations.

He enjoys the flexibility of working on his own terms and time. 

 "I'm still working probably as hard at what I did but it's more of the stuff that I want to do versus an 8-5 job that I had to do," Mort said. "If I get tired of teaching, I don't have to teach. If somebody calls me up and says 'I want you to do this investigation,' or 'this outside audit for me,' if I don't really want to do it or if I want to go on a trip or vacation, I can do that. I'm a lot more flexible. It's not as rigid."

When he does take a breather, Mort spends time with his family and German shepherd at his Dixon home.

"I enjoy spending time with my grandson, golfing, reading, traveling," he said. "My wife and I took a vacation in September to Boston and northeast Canada. We spent two weeks on vacation so between work, friends, family and spending time with my grandson, that's what keeps me busy."

But it isn't just the academy and his family that keeps Mort occupied. He also volunteers his time as well.

"I'm the current chair of the Solano County Reducing Rates Coalition," Mort said. "It's a coalition of volunteers in Solano County trying to reduce alcohol, tobacco and drug rates. I'm involved with a couple of nonprofit agencies and that's one of them. I'm involved with the ."

Mort began his 28 year law enforcement career with Bay Area Rapid Transit, where he stayed for five years. From there, he worked for the Fairfield Police Department for 18 years before going to Dixon and retiring six and a half years later.

"I had reached my maximum level of years of service," he said. "I was at my maximum retirement age and it was just time to do something else. There was no incentive to keep me working in the position that I was in."

He added it was a good career and he had been very fortunate to have received some good opportunities.

Following retirement, he became his own boss. When the full-time position at the academy came up, Mort had to give it some thought. His wife Jeanette was right by his side to help him with the decision.

"She knows I like being involved," he said. "She knows I like being busy and so she's been very supportive. When this position came up, at first I didn't want to go back to a 40-hour work week. We talked about it and she encouraged me to take a look at it. She knows me well enough."

Mort's position as coordinator entails scheduling, making sure both students and staff are where they are supposed to be, assisting with the materials, overseeing the recruit training officer and filling in to teach when no one else is available. He oversees the evaluation and testing process as well.

"This position came vacant," Mort said. "The gentleman who had it took a new job in mid September. I got a call while I was on vacation asking if I was interested in doing this on an interim basis. So right now, I've kind of committed to hold this position until July when they can fill it for the next fiscal year. It's a temporary job but it is 40 hours per week."

Looking to the future, Mort said he sees himself providing some sort of service whether it's paid or volunteer. 

"I always have that ability to look for things to stay busy and involved," he said. "You don't have to just veg if you don't want to. What works for one person may not work for everyone else. If you want to get involved, there's stuff out there to get involved with."

He added that people can't always find the right, satisfying  job in the private sector, but there are often rewarding opportunities in the non-profit arena.  

"That's why I'm involved in the nonprofit stuff, it's not about money," he said. "My wife and I have been involved with Toys 4 Tots in Dixon for the last seven years and we're going to be involved again this year. So it's out there if you want to do it."