Full Notification

This message is going out to our subscribers, Media Contacts, local PIOs and our SMPD Personnel -

This week I am transitioning our Community and Media Relations responsibilities to Sergeant Rick Decker. Rick is a 16-year veteran of SMPD. He brings with him energy, creativity, and a great “policeman’s eye and ear” to what’s happening in our city, and what is important to members of our community and our City of San Mateo Organization. He is a trusted friend and coworker, and I am confident that he will continue to build on the incredible connection that you all have worked with me to cultivate over the last four and a half years.

I’m not moving far – I am headed back to the streets of San Mateo as a Patrol Sergeant – the Community and Media Relations position is a four-year specialty rotation, and it is important to the future of our organization and to our community that we rotate back to Patrol after our specialty experience to bring a fresh perspective and added dimensions to the service that we provide to you on the front lines of our community.

With this specialty in particular, I bring back some great perspective on the community and media perception of what we do on a daily basis. While that does not change what we may do to preserve public safety, it is helpful in understanding the impression that we make, and the sometimes far-reaching consequences of split-second decision making that is the bread and butter of policing. I have also had the honor of representing the Department at a number of community meetings and functions, and bring back a real reflection on what our city organization and local community associations see in and expect from SMPD. I am excited about sharing this view with my fellow officers and sergeants working on the streets of San Mateo.

For many of us in the police business, returning to patrol is a valued experience that brings us “back to our roots” and connects us to what is so important every day in the community that we serve. I am very much looking forward to it.

Thank you all for your attention, cooperation, and collaboration over the last four and a half years. I feel honored to have been able to represent SMPD in this way, and I confidently leave you in great hands.

Dave

Sergeant Dave Norris
Field Operations
San Mateo Police Department
650-522-7522 x5216 (voicemail)

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