City Swears In First Female Police Chief

San Rafael residents and police from neighboring departments crowded in the council chambers Tuesday evening as city officials swore in the city's first female police chief.

Diana Bishop, 50, is the city's 16th police chief and the first woman to head since its creation in 1915. She will lead the 87-member department, which has an annual budget of $18 million, and earn $151,884 a year.

Bishop is replacing Matt Odetto, who announced his resignation in July 2011. During the four and a half years Odetto served, the police department’s number of authorized positions went from 104 to 87.

Jeff Franzini served as interim chief after Odetto stepped down.

Bishop spent 26 years in the Santa Clara Police Department, which she noted is very similar to San Rafael.

"Both wear the mission on our police badges. Both share a mission to work for the community and for each other," she said to the audience. "And if we treat each other well and treat the community well, we will be successful."

Bishop was one seven people called for an interview for the position, which drew 61 applications. Mayor Gary Phillips, City Manager Nancy Mackle and the council members interviewed all the applicants. Bishop was the last interview of the day.

"She truly was a glass of fresh water," said Councilman Damon Connolly. "She brought such energy and great perspective."

Bishop impressed her interviewers with her knowledge of the city and the time she took meeting members of the police force and the community before considering the position. When she left, all the council unanimously agreed she was the one for the job.

Bishop joined the Santa Clara Police Department in 1985 as a patrol officer. She became a sergeant, a lieutenant and then a captain in 2006.

Detective Tom Leipelt worked with Bishop for 11 years in Santa Clara, where she oversaw the agency's Investigations Division. Bishop was one of the officers who interviewed Leipelt when he first applied for his job. Since then she's acted as a mentor.

"She really cares about the people she's working with and the community she's working for," he said. "It's a loss to us, but a great opportunity for San Rafael."

The council chambers were filled to capacity with people eager to welcome the new police chief. Gerstle Park neighbor Samantha Sargent was among the crowd.

"I think she's more than qualified," she said. "We need to make sure she has as much support from the government and the community as she needs."