The City of San Diego has begun the process to select a new chief of police for the San Diego Police Department, and public input will be sought to help shape the choice, officials said.
A national search for a diverse candidate pool is being conducted by the firm Bob Murray & Associates.
The community outreach effort will include a series of public forums in each of San Diego’s nine city council districts beginning in January. The community forum for Council District 3 (downtown San Diego) will be held at the Balboa Park Club from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on January 24, 2024. It’s slated to be hosted by D3 Councilmember Stephen Whitburn.
The current police chief, David Nisleit, announced late last year that he will retire in June of 2024. Nisleit has served in that role since 2018.
“It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the City of San Diego during my 36 years with the San Diego Police Department,” Nisleit says.
Nisleit joined the SDPD in 1988, following in the footsteps of his father, who also had a long career as a police officer with the department.
Prior to Nisleit’s term, the modern list of SDPD chiefs has included: Shelley Zimmerman (2014-2018); William Lansdowne (2003 – 2014); David Bejarano (1999-2003); and Jerry Sanders (1993- 1999).
The process to hire a new chief, outlined in Council Policy 300-08, calls for the mayor to appoint a candidate to be confirmed by the city council. SDSun
