REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Recognition of Michael "Mike" J. Sellers, Chief of Police
Report
BACKGROUND
Police Chief Michael J. Sellers began his career with the Santa Clara Police Department as a Cadet in 1978. Since, he has spent his entire law enforcement career with the City of Santa Clara.
In 1982, he became a Police Reserve before being hired as a Police Officer in 1985.
The Chief has worked a wide variety of unique assignments including undercover narcotics in the Specialized Crimes Action Team (SCAT), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the Santa Clara County Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force. He has also been a Field Training Officer and was a charter member of the Special Enforcement Team (SET).
He was promoted to Sergeant in 1997 where he supervised a Patrol team and was a member of our Special Response Team (SRT).
In 2004, he progressed to Lieutenant. During the course of his tenure in his classification, he worked as the Patrol watch commander oversaw special operations, coordinated the Reserve Officer program, assisted with the Citizen's Police Academy, served as the liaison to other City Departments as the special event coordinator and represented SCPD as the Public Information Officer.
In 2008, he advanced to the rank of Captain and took command of the Field Operations Division. In July, 2010, he rotated to the Administrative Services Division and promoted to Assistant Chief in January, 2012.
He is a graduate of California State University Long Beach and holds a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Studies. Mike is also a graduate of the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute and the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.
The City of Santa Clara's Chief of Police is elected, therefore appointed by City of Santa Clara voters. He ran unopposed in the November, 2012 election for Chief of Police. He was sworn in to this role at the December 18, 2012 Cit...
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