The city of East Palo Alto is losing its long time police chief.
Today Ronald Davis announced he will leave his job early next month to take a position in Obama administration. Davis calls his new job working for the president a once in a lifetime opportunity, but says leaving is also bittersweet.
“It’s been an honor serving the residents of this great City, and a privilege to have worked with the outstanding professionals in the police department and throughout the City. I’m proud of the partnerships we’ve forged, and the innovative community policing strategies we’ve implemented that have reduced crime and violence and strengthened our community. I leave knowing that the future is bright for East Palo Alto," Davis said.
Chief Davis accepted the position of Director of the US Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services where he will be asked to work on community policing in state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
Davis came to East Palo Alto after 20 years as a cop in Oakland.
During his term on the peninsula Davis was known for strengthening positive relations between the police and the public, according to city officials. They credit that effort for dramatically reducing crime and violence.
East Palo Alto leaders will now be tasked with finding a replacement.
