Foster City Names New Police Chief

FOSTER CITY, CA —Capt. Tracy Avelar was named as the successor to replace retiring Foster City Police Chief Joe Pierucci, who recently announced he was stepping down in November, according to officials.

Foster City’s City Manager Jeff Moneda said Avelar's appointment will begin Nov. 14, as she will take over for Pierucci, who helmed the department since 2016 and will retire on his birthday, Nov. 13.

“The men and women of the Foster City Police Department are true professionals with an unending desire to serve," Avelar said. "I am honored and excited to be selected to lead this agency and build on our tradition of serving Foster City through community partnerships and engagement.”

A 17-year veteran of the Foster City Police Department, Avelar has served as one of two department captains on the local force for the past four years, officials said. A native of Daly City, she earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice management from Union Institute and University in 2012 and a master's degree in 2017 from Naval Postgraduate School.

She also collaborated on regional efforts with area police agencies at a command-staff level in San Mateo County to reduce costs and provide a higher level of service, according to the department.

Avelar lives in Dublin with her husband, Tony, and their children, Gabriella and Adrianna. Avelar’s adult children include Daryle, a U.S. Navy veteran, and Hunter, a Boise State University graduate.

Avelar’s in-laws are 43-year residents of Foster City, which is what led her to apply with the Foster City police years ago, the department said.

Her predecessor, Pierucci, who grew up in Foster City, is winding up 33 years in law enforcement, 11 of those years with the Foster City PD, along with a career that began in 1986 with the San Mateo Police Department.

The recruitment process to fill Pierucci's position was extensive as candidates met with several panels and underwent multiple interviews, the city said.

“Captain Avelar displays excellent work ethics, integrity, collaborative skills, and vision for the next generation of our community," city manager Moneda said. "I am confident that she will do well and succeed in her new role as Police Chief and fit very well with the team. I look forward to working with her in her new capacity for many years to come.”

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