Chief Tracy Avelar was selected as Pleasanton’s Police Chief in 2024, bringing more than 23 years of law enforcement experience. Prior to joining Pleasanton, she served as Police Chief for the Foster City Police Department.

Chief Avelar has extensive experience across police operations and administration, with a career that includes assignments in patrol, Youth Services, field training, and progressive leadership roles from sergeant through captain. Her professional strengths include emergency management, community policing, public speaking, and organizational leadership.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Union Institute & University and a master’s degree in Homeland Defense and Security from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Chief Avelar is a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership Institute and the LAPD Leadership program, and she holds an Executive Certificate from California POST.

Chief Avelar has served on several boards, including The Rotary Foundation, the Leadership Council San Mateo County Founding Board, and the Critical Reach Board. She has also held leadership roles within regional and statewide law enforcement organizations, including serving as 2024 President of the San Mateo County Police Chiefs and Sheriff Association and as President of the California Police Chiefs Association.

Ms. Bayles has worked for the State of California since 1998. She started her career as an Office Assistant with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and promoted through several classifications, ultimately reaching the level of Associate Governmental Program Analyst developing California Peace Officer Standards and Training certified supervisory and management courses.

In 2008, she promoted to Staff Services Manager I with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Ms. Bayles continued to advance in her career, promoting to Staff Services Manager II in 2013, where she served as the Division Technology Initiatives and Projects Manager, providing program administration for more than $80 million in rehabilitative assets including e-Readers, Internet Protocol Television Infrastructure, and the implementation of Video Law Libraries for the incarcerated population. Ms. Bayles negotiated multiple bargaining unit tables and used her knowledge of evidence-based practices to oversee program outcomes and analysis on emerging trends in the delivery of treatment interventions and educational programs.

Ms. Bayles returned to the CHP in 2016, as the commander of the Organizational Development Section overseeing supervisory, management, and leadership courses and professional development training for the agency. She maintained oversight for statewide programs including the Coaching and Mentoring Program, Out-Service Training Program, and Internship Program.

In 2022, she accepted the Executive Director position overseeing the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST) within CDCR. This consists of a cooperative labor/management approach to establishing and assessing training standards and materials subject to CPOST’s guidelines including those for recruitment, selection, rehabilitation, stress resilience, mental health, and course of firearms. She also provides oversight for the Apprenticeship Program statewide including correctional officers, parole agents, correctional counselors, and fire captains in cooperation with the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). Ms. Bayles and her team successfully acquired more than $20 million in grant funds from DIR to innovate their apprenticeship program. Ms. Bayles has received numerous accolades throughout her career for her exceptional contributions over the years.

Nikki Bell serves as the Manager of the Vacaville Police Department’s Real-Time Information Center (RTIC), where she led the center’s creation from concept to launch. Under her leadership, the RTIC integrated a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program and multiple real-time technology platforms to enhance situational awareness, investigative capabilities, and operational response in support of both public safety operations and the community the department serves.
With more than 20 years in law enforcement across four communities, Nikki began her career in 911 emergency communications, serving as a Communications Training Officer, Tactical Dispatcher, and Communications Center Supervisor before transitioning into real-time policing leadership. She also helped establish the California Real-Time Workgroup, connecting agencies to share knowledge and support the responsible growth of real-time policing. Known for approaching public safety challenges with depth, perspective, and relentless dedication, Nikki focuses on advancing modern public safety through thoughtful technology adoption, collaboration, and a strong belief that public safety work is woven into the broader mission of city government.

Director Bryan Bishop began his career with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) in 2002 as a Correctional Officer at California State Prison-Sacramento. In 2008, Mr. Bishop accepted a position with the Office of Correctional Safety (OCS) where he rose to the rank of Deputy Chief and oversaw 22 field offices. These offices encompassed a variety of enforcement operations, which included fugitive apprehension, warrant service, gang and narcotics investigations, human trafficking, drone interdiction, criminal intelligence, digital forensics, and emergency management.

Mr. Bishop has a long-standing history of working alongside state, federal and local partners and is committed to continue fostering strong relationships that advance public safety and strengthen the mission of parole operations and community reentry. He has been instrumental in initiating and drafting curriculum aimed at educating Law Enforcement officers throughout the State of California in extremist ideologies, indicators and reporting procedures. Mr. Bishop has provided training for the California Gang Task Force National Symposium, Imperial County Gang Investigators Conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office Intelligence Group, San Diego Sheriff Office Inmate Radicalization Conference, and National Counter Terrorism Center conference on Violent Extremism and is frequently a guest lecturer at the California State University-Sacramento, Criminal Justice program.

In September 2025, Mr. Bishop was appointed as the Director of the Division of Adult Parole Operations by Governor Gavin Newsom. Mr. Bishop has a grounded philosophy of leading from the front, is committed to prioritizing employee wellness, maintains a close connection with field agents and is dedicated to enhancing community services through meaningful collaboration.

A seasoned government leader with experience in multiple New York City agencies, Amy Bishop currently serves as the Executive Director of the Project Management Office within the New York City Police Department. Amy joined the NYPD In 2017 as a Senior Project Manager, working with Department stakeholders to drive initiatives to increase efficiency through innovation and continuous improvement. Over the next seven years, she rose through the ranks of Deputy Director, Director, and most recently to Executive Director in June 2024. In this role, Amy leads a team of both civilian and uniformed staff managing projects that advance the Department’s mission. Among her accomplishments in these roles are the development of the NYPD Strategic Plans, the Department’s first health & wellness strategy, a Department-wide civilianization assessment, and the implementation of various police reform mandates.

Amy began her career in public service in 2006 at the Department of Transportation, supporting the agency’s small purchase and contracting processes. In June 2007, she joined the Mayor’s Office of Operations under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, leading mayoral and interagency initiatives to drive change and efficiencies citywide, including the launch of an interactive KPI dashboard, the revamp of the City’s response to street conditions, and the release of the largest municipal customer satisfaction survey ever distributed. In 2014, Amy joined the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, overseeing efforts to improve customer service and program effectiveness.

Amy holds a Bachelor’s of Arts and Master’s of Public Administration from Binghamton University.

Chris is a founding board member and Executive Director of “The Curve,” a non-profit leadership organization co-founded with Simon Sinek and forward thinking police chiefs and sheriffs from across the country. The Curve aims to provide inspiration, leadership development, and resources to modern minded leaders, with the goal of advancing police culture from within the profession. A retired Police Chief with over 30 years of public service in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris previously led the Mountain View Police Department and now serves as Undersheriff for the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, where he oversees operations for an agency serving more than 700,000 residents.

An internationally recognized speaker, writer, and leadership coach, Chris specializes in organizational culture, adaptive leadership, crisis management, and digital communication. He has authored national articles on modern policing and frequently appears on leadership podcasts and conferences. In addition to his role at The Curve, Chris serves as vice-chair on the IACP Human and Civil Rights Committee, is a Board Advisor for the University of Virginia Center for Public Safety and Justice, fellow for the Future Policing Institute and serves on the Global Advisory Council for the Crisis Ready Institute.

Chela Cottrell is a 22-year veteran of law enforcement. Through a variety of positions, Chela developed expertise that qualified her for her current role as Police Services Manager of the Emergency Communications Center and Operations division at the Citrus Heights Police Department. Recognized as a dispatch subject-matter expert, Chela has contributed to state-level curriculum and legislative development to enhance the professionalism of California law enforcement practices. A nationally recognized presenter on leadership, professional staff development, and interdisciplinary workflows, Chela’s mission to elevate policing practices compels her writing, informs her advocacy, and fuels her drive to inspire Law Enforcement Professionals to recognize their innate abilities in the service of Public Safety. Chela possesses a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a master’s degree in law enforcement and public safety leadership from the University of San Diego. She is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute Class #490 and holds the designation of Emergency Number Professional from the National Emergency Number Association.

Here is a link to a resource guide for professional development authored by Chela: https://napsps.org/professional-staff-resources-guide/

Contact California NAPSPS state liaison:

Chief Bobby Davis began his career in public service in May of 1996 with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a Deputy, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain, until March of 2020, when he joined the Elk Grove Police Department as the Assistant Chief of Police.

Chief Davis is committed to officer wellness, collaborative policing, policing with technology, and serving our community members with dignity, respect, and fairness. He remains actively involved on the Steering Committee for the Reduction of African American Child Death and other community-based events.

Chief Davis holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the Union Institute and University. His executive education includes the completion of the Senior Management Institute for Police Executives Leadership Studies-Class 81 (SMIP), and the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association-Leadership (FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Certificate of Completion).

Chief Davis was officially sworn in on March 23, 2022, as the Elk Grove Chief of Police. He is Elk Grove’s fifth Chief of Police since its formation on July 1, 2006.

With over two decades of dedicated service in law enforcement records management, Delfina Franco serves as the Records Manager for the Elk Grove Police Department. A cornerstone of the agency since its inception in 2006, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the department’s administrative infrastructure and civilian leadership.

Delfina began her career in 2004 with the West Sacramento Police Department before joining the newly formed Elk Grove Police Department as a Records Technician. Demonstrating a commitment to professional growth and operational excellence, she rose through the civilian ranks, earning a promotion to Records Supervisor in 2011 and advancing to Records Manager in 2016.

An academic foundation in the field is complemented by a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento. Delfina is also a graduate of several prestigious leadership programs, including the Civilian Leadership Institute and the Sacramento Valley Leaders Academy. Most recently, she completed the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) through the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), further refining her expertise in executive-level law enforcement administration.

Mr. Marvin Haiman is an Assistant Professor and the Executive Director of Public Safety and Justice at the University of Virginia. He is also a Visiting Fellow and Research Scholar with Rutger’s University. Haiman served as the Chief of Staff for the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. between 2021 and 2024. In this capacity, Haiman oversaw daily operations of the Executive Office of the Chief of Police and was responsible for broad agency management and implementing strategic agency objectives.

Haiman was responsible for several organizational units including the Office of Communications, Office of General Counsel, Office of Wellness and the Professional Development Bureau. He served as the Executive Director of the Professional Development Bureau between 2017 – 2021, leading the Recruiting Division, Metropolitan Police Academy Division, Human Resource Management Division, Disciplinary Review Division, Testing and Assessment Division, Equal Employment Opportunity Division, Office of Communications and the Strategic Engagement Office (Volunteer Services).

Prior to being named Executive Director, Haiman served in a variety of capacities between 2015-2017, including developing the agency’s Office of Volunteer Coordination, serving as Chief of Staff for the Technical Services Division tasked with a broad range of IT operations, and Chief of Staff for the Strategic Services Bureau supporting and leading the administration of police recruitment, training, policy and volunteer service matters for the Department.

Prior to returning to the Metropolitan Police Department, Haiman served as Director for the Homeland Security Advisory Council for the United States Department of Homeland Security, where he established several key task forces for the Secretary (e.g., Foreign Fighters, Integrity & Use of Force). Prior to his Federal service, Haiman led the Recruiting Division for the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., among various other positions. Haiman was responsible for restructuring the sworn hiring process, decreasing the amount of time it took to process candidates while increasing the quality of those officers hired.

Haiman graduated from The Johns Hopkins University with a master’s degree in management through the Police Executive Leadership Program. He earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa and received designation as a Certified Public Management Program through George Washington University, as well as certification in Strategic Project Management. Haiman is also a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s Executive Leadership Program. He received recognition by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 2020 as a 40 under 40 recipient and the prestigious Gary P. Hayes Award by the Police Executive Research Forum. Haiman graduated from the Metropolitan Police Academy and continues his police service as a reserve police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department. Haiman resides with his family in Washington, D.C.

Tammy Hall is an Administrative Analyst for the Sacramento Police Department, where she is currently the Executive Assistant for Chief Kathy Lester. Tammy began her career with the Sacramento Police Department in 1996 as a Dispatcher. She promoted to a Dispatcher III in 2006 and transitioned to the Communications Academy Coordinator in 2014. In 2017, Tammy promoted to Administrative Analyst and began her five-year tenure in the Outreach and Engagement Unit where she managed all administrative aspects of Recruiting, Youth Services, and Community Outreach. Having the combined administrative skills and the relationships within the community, it was a natural fit to becoming the Chief’s Executive Assistant.

Tammy graduated with two Associate of Arts degrees. One in Management and her second in Business Administration. Throughout Tammy’s nearly 30-year career she has been the recipient of several award recognitions including the Professional Staff of the Year in 2015, Community Service Award in 2019, a Unit Citation commendation in 2020 for her exemplary work during her tenure in the Outreach and Engagement Unit, and a Distinguished Service Award in 2025 for her role in the implementation of a Professional Staff career development program within SPD.

Tammy considers her role within the Sacramento Police Department a high honor and is committed to fostering a positive relationship between the Sacramento Police Department and the community it serves through trusted partnerships and excellent customer service.

Lieutenant Wes Herman serves as a Watch Commander with the Citrus Heights Police Department and brings nearly two decades of public safety leadership experience spanning operations, investigations, organizational strategy, and community-focused policing initiatives.

Before entering law enforcement, Lt. Herman spent several years working in the private sector in finance, commercial real estate investment management, and executive recruiting – experience that helped shape his perspective on organizational leadership, collaboration, and the important role professional staff play within mission-driven organizations.

Over the course of his law enforcement career, Lt. Herman has supervised a wide range of operational and professional staff functions, including investigations, field training, emergency operations, technology implementation, regional intelligence-sharing initiatives, and real-time crime center collaboration. He currently oversees Citrus Heights’ multi-million-dollar Organized Retail Theft grant program focused on technology integration, cross-jurisdictional partnerships, and crime reduction strategies.

In addition to his law enforcement leadership role, Lt. Herman also works in the private sector as an executive recruiter and strategic advisor supporting public-sector leadership recruitments and organizational consulting efforts throughout California. His blended experience across both sworn and professional staff environments has provided him with a unique perspective on organizational culture, leadership, collaboration, and the evolving future of public safety agencies.

Lt. Herman holds a Master’s Degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Economics from Saint Mary’s College of California. He is a graduate of the California POST Command College and Supervisor Leadership Institute, a published author on the future of policing, and currently serves on the California Police Chiefs Association’s statewide Technology Committee.

He and his wife live in Rocklin with their three teenage children.

Debra Miller serves as the Police Services Supervisor for the Citrus Heights Police Department, bringing 15 years of law enforcement and over 12 years of municipal compliance experience focused on public health, safety, and neighborhood preservation.

PSS Miller leads complex enforcement efforts involving residential receiverships, illicit massage establishments, illegal marijuana grow operations, nuisance abatement, blight reduction, and regional collaboration initiatives. She strongly believes in building and maintaining strong partnerships with sworn personnel, recognizing the importance of collaboration between enforcement teams to enhance public safety to achieve long-term community solutions.

PSS Miller is a Certified Code Enforcement Officer, a recent graduate of Chamber Leadership Citrus Heights, earned a Crime and Intelligence Analysis certification at California State University, Sacramento, and studied Criminal Justice at Cabrillo College.

Outside of work, she enjoys community engagement, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her husband.

Deputy Chief Adam Mitchell serves with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District and has extensive experience in emergency operations, regional and statewide incident management, organizational leadership, and interagency collaboration throughout California. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with both sworn and professional staff members to support complex public safety operations, strategic planning initiatives, emergency preparedness programs, labor-management collaboration, and regional coordination efforts.

Adam has been actively involved in leadership development initiatives focused on communication, decision-making, and building high-performing teams across disciplines. His experience includes supporting large-scale emergency incidents, multi-agency coordination efforts, and organizational projects that rely heavily on the expertise, continuity, and institutional knowledge provided by professional staff leaders and personnel.

He is passionate about advancing the role of professional staff within public safety organizations and believes their contributions are critical to the success of modern emergency services agencies. Adam recognizes that today’s public safety challenges-including regional coordination, resource management, workforce development, and organizational resilience-require collaborative leadership models where professional staff members play an essential role in operational readiness, strategic support, and community impact.

Chad comes from a multi-generational farming family and resides in Rocklin with his wife, Dawn. He is the proud father of three adult children and a grandfather to one grandson. He is committed to health and wellness and enjoys traveling abroad with his family. Chad is an Eagle Scout, and while attending the University of California, Davis, he played baseball and rugby. Following the completion of his undergraduate studies at UC Davis, Chad worked in marketing for a Fortune 500 company and later spent many years as a serial entrepreneur who was very active in the private sector. He founded several businesses across various sectors, including real estate finance, property management, and gourmet specialty foods.

In 2008, motivated by a strong desire to serve his community, he began his law enforcement career as a reserve officer with the newly established Citrus Heights Police Department. He quickly realized his passion for serving in this capacity and decided to embark on a full-time career in law enforcement.

During his tenure at Citrus Heights, Chad held a wide range of assignments, including patrol officer, general, homicide and high-tech crimes detective, patrol and special operations sergeant, watch commander, special operations lieutenant, and professional standards and training lieutenant. He also served in numerous specialty roles, including SWAT operator and SWAT executive officer (XO), hostage negotiations team leader, firearms and defensive tactics instructor, and public information officer (PIO). He is the founder of both the department’s award-winning bait theft reduction program and its Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program, and he is a licensed FAA Part 107 pilot.

Chad is a lifelong learner who strongly identifies as an autodidact. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences and Community and Regional Development from the University of California, Davis. He went on to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership from Texas A&M University and a second Master’s degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership (LEPSL) from the University of San Diego. He holds a postgraduate certificate in Certified Financial Planning from UC Davis and a certificate in Principles of Law Enforcement Command from the University of San Diego. In addition, he is a graduate of POST Command College (Class #69), where his research on the future of less-lethal munitions and emerging technologies was later published in multiple industry outlets, including Lexipol’s Police One and The Tactical Edge Magazine. As a certified John Maxwell leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, Chad is known for his dedication to organizational leadership and mentorship.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Chad has been deeply involved in community service and professional organizations. He is a member of the California Police Chiefs Association (CPCA), Rotary International (Paul Harris Fellow), the Chamber of Commerce, and the Sutter Club.

Chad’s career reflects his unwavering dedication to public service, continuous personal and professional growth, and entrepreneurial spirit. He is honored to serve with the esteemed Rocklin Police Department and looks forward to contributing to the City’s continued reputation as a safe, vibrant, and thriving community.

Blake Norton, Chief Strategy Officer for the Sacramento Police Department, brings more than 30 years of distinguished experience in law enforcement and strategic management. As Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Norton oversees internal compliance, ensuring our operations meet all legislative mandates, and plays a key role in implementing best practices in risk management. Additionally, she leads our external communication efforts, advising on how we engage with the community, City Council, Sacramento Community Police Review Commission, and other stakeholders. Prior to joining SPD, she served as the Chief Strategy Officer for the Philadelphia Police Department from 2020 to 2024, where she was instrumental in shaping the department’s strategic initiatives. Before that, she held the position of Senior Vice President at the National Police Foundation, overseeing daily operations and initiatives aimed at improving policing practices across the country. Chief Norton’s extensive career also includes leadership roles at the Council of State Governments Justice Center, where she directed Local Government Initiatives, collaborating with policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels to develop and implement innovative criminal justice policies. She spent 19 years with the Boston Police Department, where she served as the Director of Public Affairs and Community Programs. In this role, she was responsible for designing and managing community engagement initiatives, particularly those aimed at supporting court-involved and at-risk youth, underscoring her deep commitment to community policing.

Public Safety IT Manager Demetri Ojeda began his career with the City of Sacramento in 2005. He has held the positions of Applications Developer, Senior Applications Developer, IT Supervisor, and IT Manager. As the IT Manager, Demetri directs the efforts of Applications Development, Systems Engineering, Help Desk and Desktop support, and Mobile Sustainment. These teams research, develop, implement, and maintain innovative information technology solutions for the Department.
Demetri has been responsible for several enterprise-wide IT projects throughout his career which have helped the Department’s efforts in public safety. He was responsible for the Electronic Ammunition Registration Form which identified 350 prohibited persons purchasing ammunition, resulting in 144 felony convictions.

For his efforts, Demetri was awarded second place in the 2012 Versaterm Public Safety Innovation Award . Demetri created the Helicopter Notifications which allows citizens to get timely updates when the Department’s helicopter is deployed to calls for service. Other notable projects were Ride On! the City’s no-cost bike registration program, which allows the community to register their bicycles with the City and helps Sacramento police identify and recover lost or stolen bicycles, the Daily Activities Log , which provides a timely snapshot of significant events in the Sacramento community, and Press Releases , which assists members of the media in gathering information and reporting on news events that impact the city of Sacramento.

Demetri also designed and implemented the Sacramento Police Department’s eNotify which allows the community to sign up to receive daily digests of press releases, daily activities, and helicopter activity that occurred within the last 24 hours via email.
Demetri holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of California at Davis.

William Paige is the Program Manager for the Center of Public and Justice at the University of Virginia.

William’s commitment to public service began as a professional staff member with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. in the Court Liaison Division and Office of Volunteer Coordination, promoting the Department’s community relation initiatives. He also worked in the Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C. During his time as an Associate in the Office of Federal and Regional Affairs, William engaged with federal and regional stakeholders to advance the interest of the District of Columbia on a wide range of policy issues. As an Associate Director in the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments, William recruited and managed appointments within the Mayor’s cabinet and staff. His portfolio included, among others, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety & Justice and the Office of the Senior Advisor. He also advised certain Mayoral nominees through the D.C. Council confirmation process to numerous volunteer boards and commissions.

During his time at the Georgetown University Law Center, William was a research assistant focusing on federal securities litigation, a summer associate at two international law firms, served on the Executive Board of the Georgetown Black Law Student’s Association, and a student attorney in the Federal Legislation Clinic focusing on anti-hunger policy and advocacy.

William previous worked as an attorney in private legal practice where he focused on antitrust & competition law while maintaining an active pro bono practice.

William graduated magna cum laude from St. John’s University with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Business Law. He earned his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center and is licensed to practice law in two states.

In his free time, William enjoys exercising, reading non-fiction, and traveling.

Office of Strategy and Compliance – Transparency and Compliance Team
Danielle Perez is an Administrative Officer for the Sacramento Police Department, where she oversees the Transparency and Compliance Team. Danielle began her career with the Sacramento Police Department in 2009 as a Dispatcher. In 2013, Danielle transferred within the City of Sacramento to the City Clerk’s Office, where she managed the processing of requests for City records under the California Public Records Act. In 2019, Danielle’s unique combined skill set of law enforcement experience, and records management and production experience, led her back to the Sacramento Police Department as a Program Analyst managing the release of police personnel records. Danielle promoted to Administrative Officer in 2022, leading the expansion of the Transparency Team and creation of the SPD’s Compliance Team.

Danielle graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Sacramento State University in 2006. As part of the Professional Standards Unit, Danielle was the recipient of a Unit Citation commendation in 2021 for exemplary management of the Senate Bill 1421 program, as well as a Distinguished Service Award in 2025 for her role in the implementation of a Professional Staff career development program within SPD.

Danielle considers her role within the Sacramento Police Department a high honor and is committed to fostering a positive relationship between the Sacramento Police Department and the community it serves through transparency and accountability.

Chief Polen is a life-long resident of the City of Vacaville and graduated from Will C. Wood High School in 1994.

Chief Polen began his career in law enforcement as a police officer with the City of Suisun City Police Department in 1998. He returned to his hometown, Vacaville, in 2000 as an officer with the City of Vacaville Police Department.

Chief Polen has worked as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, and Detective for the Investigative Services Section. In 2009, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and has worked in various specialties throughout his tenure. He supervised the Hostage Negotiations Team, Field Training Officer Program, Special Victims Unit, Training, and Internal Affairs.
In 2016, Chief Polen was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, where he had oversight for the Investigative Services Division, which includes the Special Victims Unit, Investigative Services Section, VICE, Gang Enforcement Team, Property and Evidence, and Criminal Intelligence. Chief Polen was promoted to Captain in January of 2022, and in January of 2025, he was selected by City Manager Aaron Busch to be the Chief of Police for the City of Vacaville.

Chief Polen holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice management and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from National University. He is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police and the POST Executive Leadership Program.

Briana Rojas, PsyD, Chief Psychologist, Associate Director supervises the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Office of Employee Wellness (OEW) Unit. OEW provides a safe, accessible, and connective space for proactive wellness support, education, and resources for all CDCR employees. Dr. Rojas’ clinical expertise assists her in overseeing the development, implementation, delivery, evaluation and on-going enhancement of mental and behavioral health wellness programs for CDCR staff.

Dr. Rojas began her CDCR career at California State Prison Sacramento (CSP- SAC). While at CSP- SAC, Dr. Rojas clinically supervised the administrative segregation unit, the psychiatric services unit and the indecent exposure housing unit. In addition to her programmatic supervisory duties, she clinically supervised staff, provided onboarding and clinical supervision to clinical interns and worked on multiple state-mandated projects.

Dr. Rojas graduated from Alliant International University in May 2013 with her doctorate in Clinical Forensic Psychology. Prior to employment with CDCR, she provided treatment and psychological testing to a variety of forensic clients as well as trauma services to patients in the emergency room at the Mexico California border. In addition, Dr. Rojas has worked for the San Diego County Probation as a Correctional Probation Officer as well as a Juvenile Recovery Counselor within various nonprofit and county organizations. Dr. Rojas has also served as an adjunct professor in the Psychology Department at Los Rios Community College. Her research consists of trauma, empathy, post-traumatic stress, correctional fatigue, sleep, law enforcement culture, suicide, compassion fatigue, substance use/abuse, stress and resiliency and domestic violence.

Chief Alex Turcotte began his law enforcement career with the City of Ventura in 2001. In October of 2006 he moved north to join the newly launched Citrus Heights Police Department as one of its original police officers. Since that time, he has promoted through the ranks working a variety of assignments in each division. He was a founding member of the Department’s Special Weapons and Tactic Team, a collateral assignment he kept throughout his tenure with the Department.

Chief Turcotte holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice as well as a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He is a graduate of the California Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Command College, Executive Development course, and Sherman Block Supervisor Leadership Institute.

Chief Turcotte is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Citrus Heights and the Rotary Foundation. He is a current board member of the Citrus Heights Police Activities League and the Citrus Heights Police Foundation.

In September of 2021, Turcotte was appointed as Citrus Height’s third Chief of Police. Chief Turcotte’s primary focus is to maintain the Department’s “Community First” commitment to excellence through adaptive policing with progressive crime reduction methods, innovation, and partnerships with the community.