Peninsula Police Chief Retires After 30 Years Of Service

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA — South San Francisco Police Chief Jeff Azzopardi will retire at the end of the year after 30 years in the department.

In a news release Wednesday, Azzopardi, who has served as police chief since 2014, said he was looking forward to a new chapter in his life and spending more time with his family.

“This is bittersweet for me,” Azzopardi said.

Azzopardi started in the South San Francisco Police Department in 1993 and earned promotions to corporal, sergeant, lieutenant and captain, where he led the Operations Division and the Services Division.

Azzopardi’s accolades include the Police Officer of the Year honor from the San Mateo County Trial Lawyers Association in 2019 and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce in 2017.

“Chief Azzopardi is leaving behind some big shoes to fill,” South San Francisco City Manager Mike Futrell said. “He’s led the department with intelligence and empathy, and really fostered a sense of community. He is a great friend to the community. He will be missed.”

Mayor Mark Addiego added that Azzopardi’s experience and leadership “provides the ideal foundation for partnerships with the community to make sure that South San Francisco remains one of the safest cities in the Bay Area.”

Residents are invited to a community meeting on Sept. 14 at the council chambers to share with the city council what they are looking for in the next police chief.

People can also fill out a survey here.