San Ramon Names First Female Police Chief

SAN RAMON, CA — San Ramon Police Department Captain Becky Chestnut has been named the city’s first female chief of police, effective Dec. 15.

Chestnut, who has served as a captain with SRPD since 2023, brings more than two decades of law enforcement experience to the role. She will succeed Chief Denton Carlson, who announced his retirement in September.

Chestnut joined the department in 2015 as an officer in the Patrol and Community Resource and Crime Prevention Divisions, according to a city news release. In November 2016, she was promoted to corporal in the Community Resource and Crime Prevention Division, where she supported SRPD’s Community Academy, social media outreach, volunteer program, and Mental Health Follow-Up Project. In March 2019, she was promoted to sergeant, where served on the Patrol and Professional Standards divisions, helped recruit and hire more than 30 officers, conducted internal affairs organizations, served as the department training coordinator, and managed the Field Training Officer Program.

Chestnut also helped form the department’s Peer Support Program, and served on the board of the SRPD Police Officers Association from 2016–2021.

In May 2022, she was promoted to lieutenant. She spent nine months as watch commander for the Patrol Division, then moved to the Investigations Division, where she helped oversee the Youth Services/School Resource Officers, and facilitation of the San Ramon Valley Fire Behavioral Health Project.

In July 2023, Chestnut was promoted to captain overseeing the Administrative Services Division. In that role, she helped manage Professional Standards and Training, Community Resource and Crime Prevention, Evidence and Property, Records, and Finance Divisions.

Before joining SRPD, Chestnut served as a law enforcement officer with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office from December 2002 to May 2015 where she held a number of roles, including in including in Detention Facilities, Patrol, and Investigations for the Homicide and Sexual Assault Units.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Union Institute and University, and a Master’s Degree in Leadership Communication from Purdue University.

“Becky Chestnut’s deep understanding of our city and its values makes her the ideal choice for Chief of Police," San Ramon City Manager Steven Spedowfski said in a statement. “Her leadership and commitment to our residents will be of great benefit to our community.”

“It’s an honor to serve the San Ramon community and to lead the dedicated men and women of this Police Department, and I am committed to supporting our employees so they can continue providing exceptional service and maintaining the community’s trust,” Chestnut said in a statement.

SEE ALSO:

• San Ramon Police Chief Denton Carlson Announces Retirement
• Captain Denton Carlson Named New San Ramon Police Chief