San Jose’s police chief has been selected to lead the Tracy Police Department in San Joaquin County where he’ll start serving next year.
Larry Esquivel, 53, is retiring from San Jose on Jan. 16 after more than 30 years with the department to become police chief in Tracy starting Feb. 1, city officials announced Wednesday.
Esquivel will replace Chief Gary Hampton, who announced his retirement in April, according to city officials.
Tracy City Manager Troy Brown said in a statement:
“Chief Hampton has served the city exceptionally well and we are fortunate to have Chief Esquivel serve as Tracy’s new Police Chief. … I am certain he will bring the same level of dedication and leadership to the City of Tracy as he did in San Jose.”
The selection came after a four-month nationwide search, city officials said.
Esquivel said in a statement:
“I’m very excited about the opportunity, and look forward to continuing efforts to engage the community and help it grow.”
Esquivel was one of four final candidates to become the next police chief in Tucson, Arizona, according to Tucson city officials.
The other candidates are Richmond police Chief Christopher Magnus, Malik Aziz, a deputy chief at the Dallas Police Department, and Rick Gregory, former police chief for Provo, Utah and New Castle, Delaware, Tucson city officials said.
Esquivel became interim chief of the San Jose Police Department in 2013, succeeding former chief Chris Moore and was appointed to the permanent post by the end of that year.
Esquivel first joined the department in 1984 as a police reserve officer, according to city officials.
He has served in the department’s patrol, narcotics enforcement, special operations – Mobile Emergency Response Group and Equipment, investigations, field training, internal affairs and administration units.
Esquivel obtained his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from San Jose State University in 1993, city officials said.
San Jose city officials said assistant police Chief Eddie Garcia will temporarily serve as chief until they choose a permanent chief.
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