After searching nationwide for a new police chief, San Jose City Manager Jennifer Maguire today announced her top choice was a 30-year local department veteran, Acting Police Chief Paul Joseph.
The City Council voted in executive session today, followed by a 2pm announcement by Maguire, to unanimously appoint Joseph as San José’s new Chief of Police.
Joseph has served as acting chief of police since former Chief Anthony Mata’s retirement on March 31. He will officially start as the permanent Chief of Police on Oct. 28.
Maguire called Joseph’s appointment the culmination of “a rigorous recruitment process.”
“Paul is an experienced law enforcement professional. A courageous and collaborative leader who is unafraid to try new policing techniques, engage in dialogue with our community and build deep and lasting relationships. He is transparent, direct, and candid,” said Maguire in a statement. “Paul also has the leadership and experience to do this job on day one. He knows and loves serving this City and our community and will continue to build strong relations with San José’s diverse community while providing quality public safety services.”
“I have seen Paul Joseph stand by injured officers during their worst moments, stand firm when our community is threatened and stand up to take responsibility for our department — in good times and bad,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. “He is exactly the person we need to help rebuild our ranks, test innovative new approaches and ensure the people of San José are safe and protected.”
Joseph is a Los Angeles native who joined the San José Police Department December 1994. He is a former commanding officer of the department’s Western Patrol Division and served as a lieutenant in the homicide, robbery and patrol divisions.
“Partnership with the community is the most essential element to policing. I look forward to collaborating with our diverse community to create safer neighborhoods for everyone in San José,” said Chief Joseph.
Maguire described the city’s police department – which has been criticized by the officers’ union as understaffed – as “one of the leanest and most efficient major city police agencies in the country,” with 1,172 sworn officers and 570 professional employees.
Joseph has a law degree from the UC College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from California State University Northridge. He is a member of the California State Bar.
The San Jose Police Officers’ Association today called the Joseph appointment “a wise decision by our city leaders.”
“Chief Joseph brings a wealth of experience, innovative ideas and a collaborative nature to a department he knows inside and out,” said union leader Sgt. Steve Slack. “Chief Joseph will need all of those traits as we get to work keeping the residents of San Jose safe by increasing staffing, improving morale, and strengthening community policing. Congratulations, Chief.”
