Police Chief Michael Noonan Announces Retirement

From the City of Alameda:

Alameda Police Chief Michael C. Noonan announced today that he will retire on June 01, 2013.

“The past 27 years with the Alameda Police Department has been the one of the greatest experiences of my life,” said Noonan. “Having the opportunity to serve as Alameda’s Chief of Police has been a dream-come-true. I have truly been blessed to work in a great community and have great co-workers within both the police department and other city departments.”

In his retirement memo to City Manager John Russo, Noonan wrote:

“We have been through some difficult times together and I think we are stronger and better for having faced that adversity together.  We have worked hard to be a transparent organization and gain the trust of this community. This organization is filled with intelligent, hard-working, compassionate and dedicated employees who are ready to lead the Alameda Police Department into the future. I cannot say enough about the men and women of the Alameda Police Department. I have long believed that I am the luckiest employee in the City of Alameda because of the great people I work with. Being the leader of such an outstanding organization has been a very humbling experience. I thank the men and women of the Alameda Police Department to allow me to lead this organization the last three years.”

“This is bittersweet,” said Mayor Marie Gilmore. “Chief Noonan has served our community well throughout his career. He has led Alameda’s Police Department with honor and professionalism. We will miss him, and we wish him all the best.”

“Mike has been a stellar police chief by any standard. It has been an honor to work with such a fine public servant,” said Russo. “As much as I wish he’d stay, I am happy for Mike that he will get to travel and spend time with his family.”

Russo has appointed Captain Paul Rolleri as interim Police Chief effective June 01, 2013. Chief Noonan will act in a consulting capacity to the City during the following six months to aid in transition.