City Seeks Community Input on Palo Alto Police Chief Selection

City Manager Ed Shikada has launched a community engagement process for the selection of a new Palo Alto Police Chief, following Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonsen’s announced retirement. As part of this process, the community is invited to join the conversation by sharing community priorities for the Police Department and key skills needed for the next Police Chief. This blog provides details on the community engagement process and ways the community can share feedback. Community feedback is key to helping guide the City Manager as he determines next steps.

Share Community Priorities for the Police Department and Skills Needed in the Next Police Chief

Last week, the City Manager joined the Human Relations Commission meeting for the first of three community input sessions. The Human Relations Commission has been directly involved in several of the City’s Race and Equity actions. Six members of the public and the commissioners shared their thoughts on this topic. The City is hosting two additional Community Listening Sessions where residents and stakeholders can share their input on the skills needed in a new Police Chief. The Police Chief, who reports to the City Manager, manages daily police department operations, supervises department employees, and maintains a community presence. The Police Chief will play a key leadership role in supporting the City’s Race and Equity progress and other City priorities furthering public safety and supporting a high quality of life for the community.

Palo Alto Police Department Summary

The Palo Alto Police Department has 79 full-time budgeted sworn positions, plus 6 budgeted reserve officer positions and about 50 non-sworn positions. The Palo Alto Police Department is divided into three divisions: Field Services, including Patrol, Traffic, and Parking Enforcement; Administrative Services, including Personnel and Training, Communications/Dispatch Center, and Records; and Investigative Services, including Detective bureau, Evidence/property staff, and Animal services. The Police Department typically responds to more than 50,000 calls for service annually, though calls have been lower during the pandemic. The Palo Alto Police Department Dispatch Center call volume is second only to the San Jose Police Department in Santa Clara County. Call volume is driven by the multi-disciplinary nature of Palo Alto’s dispatch center which supports Palo Alto police and fire, Stanford Campus, Palo Alto Animal Services, and Palo Alto Utilities calls.

Ways to Participate in the Process Underway

Join an Upcoming Community Listening Session: March 19 and March 31

The City Manager is seeking community feedback as he determines next steps on the Police Chief selection process.

• March 19, 2022, at 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. via Zoom only. Register here.
• March 31, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. via Zoom only. Register here.

Submit Feedback Online

In addition to the scheduled Community Listening Sessions, you may also submit your thoughts online. Submit your feedback here.

Thank you in advance for providing input. Themes from community listening sessions and online feedback will be posted online. Input will inform selection process and next steps.

Online Resources to Learn more about the Police Department

Go here for the Police Department website.

Go here for the PAPD Public Information Portal.

Go here for the PAPD’s new Police Calls for Service Interactive Map.