Alameda Police Chief Announces Retirement

ALAMEDA, CA — Alameda's police chief, Paul Rolleri, is retiring Aug. 28 after more than 28 years of service to the city, which is his hometown, police leaders said Wednesday.

"I appreciate the dedication that Chief Rolleri has shown towards both the community and the Alameda Police Department during his tenure," City Manager Eric Levitt said in a statement.

Rolleri sent a letter to Levitt about his retirement. The letter was not immediately available from Levitt's office.

City leaders have not announced Rolleri's successor.

He was hired by the department in April 1992 as a police officer and became chief in November 2013, police said.

During Rolleri's time as chief, Alameda had historically low crime rates, according to police.

Rolleri did not say why he is retiring. He said he made the decision in January after discussions with family and friends. That's well before controversy arose over the arrest in May of a Black man for dancing in the street.

"Being the Chief of Police here has been the honor and opportunity of a lifetime," Rolleri said in a statement.

Rolleri attended Alameda High School and St. Philip Neri Catholic School in Alameda.

During his time as police chief, the department bought Taser stun guns and implemented both body-worn cameras and automated license plate readers. Last year, the department started putting citation and arrest data on the city's website.

"I am proud of the progress and many accomplishments that APD has enjoyed over the past seven years, but the time is right for me to move on to the next chapter of my personal and professional life," Rolleri said.

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