Police Chief (20770753)

Description

THE COMMUNITY

The City of Menlo Park is a thriving community with tree-lined neighborhoods, active commercial areas, excellent schools, spaces to enjoy the outdoors, and opportunities to be involved in local activities. Located conveniently between the major metropolitan areas of San Francisco and San Jose, Menlo Park is home to approximately 34,000 residents in its 19 square miles. The stunning natural surroundings of the city afford views of the San Francisco Bay to the east and the Pacific Coastal Range to the west.

Menlo Park's residents reflect a diverse range of backgrounds and interests who are actively engaged in community life. With Stanford University in close proximity and home to numerous venture capital firms, Menlo Park is well situated to benefit from and help shape new technologies and innovations originating from Silicon Valley. The city hosts such major employers as Meta, SRI International, Grail, Pacific Biosciences, Rosewood Hotel, and Exponent.

Downtown Menlo Park offers a pleasant, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere in the heart of the city, featuring a mix of upscale shops, restaurants, and entertainment that attract both local residents and visitors alike.

THE CITY ORGANIZATION

Incorporated in 1927, Menlo Park is a General Law city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is the city's five-member governing body whose members are elected by district to four-year overlapping terms in general municipal elections. The Mayor and Vice Mayor each serve one-year terms and are selected annually by the City Council in December. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Attorney as well as members of the city's seven commissions. The City Manager appoints all executive and management level positions. City staff report to one of six departments: the City Manager's Office, Administrative Services, Community Development, Library and Community Services, Police, and Public Works, which includes Menlo Park Municipal Water. Fire protection and sanitary services are provided by separate special districts. The City Council and City staff enjoy a collaborative and mutually respectful relationship.

The City is supported by approximately 297 full-time employees and a FY 2026-27 total budget of $138.6 million (General Fund $90.1 million). As evidence of the city's sound fiscal stewardship and solid financial standing, Menlo Park is one of the few cities in California that consistently maintains an AAA bond rating.

For more information about the City of Menlo Park, please visit: www.menlopark.gov

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Through its dedicated team of 73 employees (47 sworn) and a fiscal year 2026-27 budget of $29.3 million, the Menlo Park Police Department (MPPD) is grounded in its commitment to professionalism, transparency, fairness, and service. The Department operates under a philosophy rooted in the belief that the police and the public are partners in maintaining peace, safety, and quality of life.

MPPD employees, professional staff and sworn officers alike, work to uphold the Department's standards of excellence through a simple "Four P's" mantra - Prepared, Polished, Professional and Proactive, and a "Leadership at Every Level" mindset. Over the last few years, Menlo Park has invested significantly in developing leaders throughout the organization and championing a culture of ownership, accountability and continuous learning. Recent employee engagement surveys reveal high levels of satisfaction with the agency's mission, work environment, and team relationships.

The Department places a high priority on its relationships with the community and provision of safety seriously and is dedicated to education and enforcement of state and local laws. The emphasis on evidence-based practices, problem-solving policing, and the responsible use of technology are important aspects of MPPD's culture.

The Department's operations are organized into four divisions:

• Administration - supports all operational units and includes Records, Property & Evidence, Public Records Act processes, data management, Internal Services (recruiting, hiring, backgrounds, training, media and public relations, and policy management).
• Patrol Services - patrol teams are deployed through a geographic beat system and work a four-on, four-off 12-hour shift schedule. This division also includes the Traffic Unit, Parking Enforcement and the Overnight Parking Program.
• Special Operations (Investigations) - oversees investigative and problem-solving functions along with the Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Team which includes two Detectives, School Resources and Community Service Officers, and Code Enforcement. This division also handles Internal Affairs and coordinates the Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team.
• Dispatch and Communications - MPPD manages its own 24/7 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) system for emergency and non-emergency calls.

The incoming Police Chief will join a department that enjoys strong community relationships built through intentional listening, open dialogue, and responsive service and will be supported by devoted employees committed to doing good work.