Peninsula City Names New Interim Police Chief

MENLO PARK, CA — A Peninsula city will soon get the “fresh start” its outgoing police chief had publicly asked for.

Menlo Park City Manager Starla Jerome-Robinson on Thursday announced David Spiller as the city's interim police chief.

Effective Friday, Spiller will replace retiring Police Chief Dave Bertini, whose last day is Thursday.

Bertini abruptly announced his retirement during a June 18 special City Council meeting to address residents' concerns about local police practices.

When asked about how the Police Department could build their relationship with residents, Bertini said they needed a fresh start according to a San Jose Mercury News report.

"It's obvious to me that I've lost the trust of the city council, and hopefully this will give this organization a fresh start," Bertini said, according to the report.

Bertini's announcement followed more than an hour of public comments in which residents described negative interactions with the Peninsula city's law enforcement agency, the report said.

"All police officers are hurting right now based on actions that have happened thousands of miles away from us … It is very difficult to listen to; it is very difficult to see.

"I think honestly there's only one way that this conversation can go forward — and that's a fresh start."

"It's obvious to me that I've lost the trust of the City Council."

Jerome-Robinson said in a statement Thursday that she is excited to appoint Spiller while they search for a permanent police chief.

"I'm fully confident in Chief Spiller's ability to lead the department professionally and with the utmost integrity, transparency and commitment through this time of transition," Jerome-Robinson said.

Spiller has 30 years of experience in law enforcement, having served in the cities of San Diego, Mountain View and Pleasanton. He was police chief in Pleasanton for eight years before retiring in 2019.

"I have spent my entire adult life in public service and I look forward to continuing to serve. I look forward to lending my experience to the organization and working with the Police Department staff, city staff, City Council and the entire Menlo Park community," Spiller said in a statement.

— Bay City News contributed to this report