Walnut Creek Police Chief To Retire In October

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Walnut Creek Police Chief Tom Chaplin will retire in October, the City announced in a news release Thursday.

“It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve the Walnut Creek community,” Chaplin said. “Over the past seven years, I have been privileged to work alongside the best team of women and men I have encountered in my three decades of law enforcement.” Chaplin leads a staff of 82 sworn and 42 civilian members providing public safety to the city's 70,000 residents.

During his tenure, the Department expanded community policing, implemented body-worn cameras, launched a community advisory board, initiated a school resource officer program, and enhanced the use of data for crime analysis.

“Chief Chaplin started in Walnut Creek during my first term on Council,” said Mayor Loella Haskew. “His instincts, his intelligence, his ability to make the new recruits feel part of the family, and his wit that put everyone at ease won the respect of the Department and the City. He knows policing, and made impactful changes that will serve the City well for years to come. He is respected by his peers, with the California Police Chiefs Association honoring him in 2018 with the prestigious Joe Molloy Award, for his dedication and service to law enforcement. He set the bar high. Finding a replacement will be difficult.”

City Manager Dan Buckshi echoed the praise, “Chief Chaplin is one of the most capable individuals I have worked with in my lifetime. Tom is the true definition of a leader, and his caring and compassion for people are unparalleled. Walnut Creek is fortunate to have had him serve as our Chief for the past seven years, and he will be deeply missed.”

Chaplin's term has not been without criticism. The 2019 shooting death of Miles Hall by police officers was criticized at the time by some members of the community, and became a focal point of social unrest this summer. The matter remains unresolved.

Chaplin began his career in 1989 as a Community Service Officer for the Sacramento Police Department, later serving in the Department’s community policing effort and as a detective before joining the California Department of Justice as a Special Agent. He was later promoted to Special Agent in Charge. He returned to local law enforcement with the City of Citrus Heights before being selected as Walnut Creek’s Police Chief. He was appointed by the Governor in 2016 to serve on the State’s Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, and is an Executive Fellow with the National Police Foundation.

The city has chosen Captain Jay Hill to serve as Interim Chief until Chaplin's permanent replacement is selected. An extensive recruitment process is planned.