Foster City Police Chief Announces Retirement

FOSTER CITY, CA — After 33 years of law-enforcement service, 11 of those years with the Foster City Police Department, Police Chief Joe Pierucci announced today that he will retire Nov. 13, which also is his birthday.

The seemingly early announcement is intended to allow Pierucci and staff to have ample time to fill the position and to allow transitions within the agency's supervisory ranks, the Foster City Police Department said.

Pierucci, who grew up in Foster City, began his career with the San Mateo Police Department in 1986 and worked there as as an officer, detective, field training officer, and school resource officer before being promoted to patrol sergeant. He also served as community-services sergeant overseeing the community's Police Athletic League program, neighborhood watch, crime prevention and other programs, according to the department.

In 2009, Pierucci returned to his hometown of Foster City, appointed to lieutenant, tasked with the supervision of patrol teams, and, in 2012, was promoted to captain and spent tours managing field operations and administrative functions of the department, the agency said.

Pierucci, who has a bachelor's degree in organizational management, also served as president of the San Mateo County Law Enforcement Commanders Association.

“I was lucky to receive great coaching and mentoring from so many talented police professionals during my years at San Mateo PD that prepared me for a management position with Foster City PD," he said. "My coworkers at Foster City PD provided me even more professional development preparing me to run this excellent police department as the chief. I have hopefully done the same for others and I am now very excited to see some of them obtain increased levels of responsibility and opportunity within the organization created by my retirement.”

City Manager Jeff Moneda praised Pierucci’s leadership.

“Chief Pierucci has provided excellent leadership for Foster City and has represented the city extremely well. He has always been a hard worker, very responsive, and has always had excellent communications with both the City Manager and the community," Moneda said. "With his leadership, the police team constantly receives letters of appreciation from various members of the community and peer law enforcement agencies.

"He has dedicated his service to Foster City, which has resulted in a community where it is a safe place to live, work and play, and consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in the nation. Our Foster City family has definitely benefitted from having Chief Pierucci as a member.”

Pierucci, newly married to wife, Angela, is father to son, Mike, 25, who served in the Army as a Blackhawk helicopter crew-chief and daughter, Tori, 22, who is finishing up her college degree in criminal justice and hopes to be the third generation of Pieruccis serving in law enforcement, officials said.

“Being a part of the Foster City Police Department has truly been a pleasure," Pierucci added."Coming home to serve a community that gave so much to me as a child growing up here when the city was still primarily sand and seashells has been a wonderful experience. Seeing where this Police Department is today is heart-warming.

"I am so very proud of the men and women of this agency who demonstrate unparalled dedication and excellent levels of service on every call they handle and every contact they make, on a daily basis. I can’t wait to see the future successes of our community, the city staff, the police department, and everyone else I have gotten to know over my 33 years of service.”

ALSO SEE:

• Nominate Your Favorite Teacher To Win Year Of Free Meals
• Ride Free On SamTrans' New Express Bus From Foster City To SF