Chief's Page

POLICE CHIEF: Bruce Goitia

Bruce Goitia was selected in May 2006 as Menlo Park's Police Chief. He is responsible for leading Menlo Park's Police Department, consisting of 70.5 employees, including 50 sworn officers. He oversees a budget of $10.8 million and a department that provides service to approximately 32,000 Menlo Park residents.

Chief Goitia has served with the Menlo Park Police Department since 1982, when he started as a reserve police officer, records clerk and dispatcher. He was hired full time as a Police Officer with the department in September of 1985. During his career with the Department, he advanced through the ranks to positions of Sergeant and Commander. His responsibilities have included Patrol Watch Commander, and specialty assignments in traffic, parking, investigations and code enforcement. Chief Goitia has also served as a long-standing manager of in-service training in the areas of firearms, defensive tactics and motors. Chief Goitia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Santa Clara, as well as a Master of Public Administration from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont.

Chief Goitia was born in Burlingame, California and raised on the San Francisco Peninsula. His professional affiliations include the California Peace Officers Association, California Narcotics Association and California Police Chiefs Association.

To contact the office of the Police Chief, please contact:

Phone: 650.330.6326
E-mail: PoliceChief@menlopark.org

A Message from the Chief:

Welcome to the City of Menlo Park's Police Station on the World Wide Web.

Our department prides itself on providing high quality service to the community and fostering an environment that encourages and promotes personal growth and excellence for our employees. Our greatest asset has always been our people. We have been successful in hiring talented individuals from diverse backgrounds who are committed to serve you. They understand the importance of what they do and have a strong sense of duty when it comes to protecting and serving the people in our community who depend on us. Their efforts, hard work, and courage are a great source of pride for our department.

Here at the department, we strive to meet and exceed the challenges facing us each and every day. To accomplish this, the department is organized into two divisions headed by two commanders. We have ten supervisors that are in charge of the various units that operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our officers have many opportunities to engage in a large variety of police work. We have thirteen different units within the police department to meet the diverse demands of the community. Some of these units include; patrol, K-9's, investigations, narcotic enforcement team, records, communications, SWAT, code enforcement, property, parking enforcement, training and administration.

We strive to hire the best and brightest people and are always looking for candidates with outstanding qualities. We look for employees that demonstrate integrity and responsibility, community orientation, and that appreciate diversity. Above all, we look for people who understand the value of safe communities and want to be part of a team here in Menlo Park that helps to make this city an enjoyable place to live, work, and visit.

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