San Leandro police chief leaving for Beverly Hills

San Leandro’s police chief announced Thursday she is leaving the city and will take over the chief’s job in Beverly Hills.

Chief Sandra Spagnoli’s last day with the department will be March 13. Police Capt. Jeff Tudor will take over as acting chief until a permanent replacement is found, city officials said Thursday.

Spagnoli will take over for Beverly Hills Police Dept. Chief David Snowden, who announced his retirement last June.

Before joining San Leandro’s department in 2011, Spagnoli was police chief in Benicia and previously worked for 16 years with the police department in San Carlos.

In a statement Spagnoli said:

“I will miss the people most, including my fellow city employees, community members, elected officials and other colleagues throughout Alameda County. … I am proud of the ongoing work SLPD continues to do to keep San Leandro a safe and thriving community.

San Leandro City Manager Chris Zapata said of Spagnoli’s incoming replacement:

“[He] has the right blend of experience and education to lead the Police Department at this time. … Captain Tudor’s 21 years of experience rising through the ranks from officer to captain in San Leandro, coupled with his knowledge and local ties to our community have prepared him exceptionally well for this acting assignment.”

Tudor has been with San Leandro police since 1995. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Sonoma State University and was trained in management at the FBI Academy.

Spagnoli could find herself with a much lighter workload at her new assignment. While San Leandro has a population of about 88,000 residents, Beverly Hills has less than half that at fewer than 35,000.