Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Chief Scott Seaman says Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge William Danser's written order to dismiss two parking tickets for his personal vehicle "wasn't something that we should have acted on."

Seaman consulted with the district attorney's office and was told the same; as a result, Seaman responded with a letter that refused Danser's request.

"Pursuant to [a California vehicle code], I determine that it is improper for you to issue such an order for dismissal. I have directed my staff to not take any action regarding these citations," Seaman wrote on Jan. 17.

Seaman also pointed out in his letter that the tickets, issued in November and December of last year, had appeal processes that had already expired.

"The department was in a position where I think we were directed to do something that wasn't proper," Seaman said.

Community members, however, have commended Seaman for his role in refusing Danser's request.

"I think he has demonstrated a level of professionalism and integrity that we obviously expect from our police chief," said Los Gatos Councilman Joe Pirzynski. "It makes me proud again to know that Scott is our chief. This really does say that Scott's an upright guy."

"I think it's very appropriate. I think the judge's actions were inappropriate," said Ronee Nassi, executive director of Town of Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce. Nassi says she admittedly does not know Seaman well, but that "he seems like an up-and-up guy. I'd certainly want our police chief to be an up-and-up guy."

Antiquarium owner Shirley Henderson agrees. "Scott's a good man and I'm real happy to have him on our town staff," Henderson said. "We don't know everything about the situation, but Scott reacted in the proper manner."

Alan Aerts, Monte Sereno homeowner, says Seaman's actions are representative of the entire police department, which he calls an "absolutely first-class organization." Seaman exhibited "great decision-making and leadership," Aerts said. "I think it's refreshing to see a public official this high up knowing the different between right and wrong."

Aerts says he hopes the Los Gatos Town Council and Monte Sereno City Council should realize that Seaman could have obeyed Danser's request, which would "come back and disgrace him later." Aerts said, "I hope the cities appreciate what a good quality character they hired." Campbell Police Chief Dave Gullo, who had worked with Seaman over the course of his previous career with San Jose police, says he has found Seaman to be a "very fair man."

"He looks at things with a very, very just eye and a good eye. He takes things very cautiously and seriously," Gullo said. "The bottom line is, he wants to do what's right."

Another local who has positive comments on Seaman's actions is Danser himself. "He did what he thought he had to do. He's a good cop," said Danser, a Saratoga resident. "I don't think what's happened is his fault. If anything, it's my fault. I take full responsibility for it."

Danser had responded to Seaman's letter six days later with another letter, in which he said he "strongly resented" Seaman's implication that "some 'personal relationship' is involved in this situation because you know that is not true." Danser wrote that he would pay for those tickets, but said Seaman owed him an apology and said, "I now understand why the kids at the high school complain about Los Gatos police officers."

The incident has been handed over the California Commission on Judicial Performance, who will conduct an investigation to determine if Danser violated any ethical rules.

"If I had the chance to do it all over again, would I have done it? No, I don't think so," Danser said.

The Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Department is also conducting an investigation, to try and find out how news of the court orders was leaked to the public initially.

"We are doing an investigation; however, because I'm in the middle of it, I can't comment on it," Capt. Alana Forrest said. Forrest says she needs to do some "fact-finding" before the case is closed, but the results of her efforts will not be made public.

Danser says he does not know the commission's progress on the investigation and has been uninvolved since he handed over some relevant documents to the commission.

"I'm just trying my cases every day down in my department," Danser said.