Police Chief Greg Stewart to Retire

After 34 years in law enforcement, Union City Police Chief Greg Stewart is taking off his badge for good.

The veteran of the steps down on Dec. 29, ending a tenure of innovative and tactful leadership during fiscally trying times.

Sworn in as chief in 2006, Stewart, 56, got his start with UCPD in the mid-70s as a reserve officer.

In those rural days, Stewart, a San Leandro native who attended Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward, worked traffic control and security at the Union City Drive-In Theater. He later went on to serve a brief stint as a sheriff’s deputy before returning to Union City as an animal control officer and working his way up to the highest rank in the department.

“Union City’s grown up quite rapidly,” Stewart said as he reflected on his time with the agency.

With the city’s growth came an evolution of the police department. Many of the forward-thinking changes in recent years can be credited to Stewart, who spent the last five years dedicated to providing quality service despite a debilitating budget.

Since Stewart has served as police chief, the department has implemented online and mail-in reporting for minor crimes. Officers have also started using Vievu personal video cameras to record footage while out on calls, which have assisted in the prosecution of many crimes, Stewart said.

He’s also proud of the opening the Union Landing and Alvarado resource centers, which serve as police substations. The latter, which , serves the “four corners” area of Alvarado Boulevard and Dyer Street. The area has had a fair share of robberies, burglaries and thefts over the years, Stewart said.

“We’re seeing the merchants are very happy,” he said. “Hopefully this will promote a presence out there to make it as safe a commercial area in the city as it can be.”

Keeping his commitment to the community, Stewart also received an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant to fund four police officer positions that would have been cut.

“If we’d have lost them, it would severely curtailed the services that we offer,” he said.

Stewart says his work is driven by his passion for the community.

When he’s not in uniform, he volunteers at with his wife and is an active member of the Union City Lions Club.

It’s that kindness and compassion, paired with a calm demeanor, that belie his intimidating stature — Stewart looms at six-feet and six-inches tall with a solid build.

“He could pretend to be mean when he needed to,” joked Capt. Brian Foley.

The two have worked together for 26 years, with Stewart being promoted to sergeant shortly after Foley came to the department. Foley, 51, is expected to take over as chief in January pending approval from City Council next Tuesday.

Stewart’s rise in the ranks was no surprise for Foley.

“He was just a young, energetic sergeant and he really motivated us to be active and turn over rocks, even on slow nights,” Foley said. “As a SWAT leader, he had a great tactical sense, very level-headed.”

He carried that strategic view with him when he was promoted to chief, Foley said.

“He’s provided leadership in some of the toughest economic times for law enforcement,” he said.

As for Foley, Stewart has no doubt that he’s the best man to fill his shoes.

“Brian’s a great police officer, a great leader and a good person. I think the organization feels the same way,” Stewart said. “He’s been here many years. The department, as well as the community, has full confidence in him and it’s well-deserved.”