San Ramon Appoints Captain Becky Chestnut Next Police Chief Following Carlson Retirement

The City of San Ramon formally appointed Police Captain Becky Chestnut as its next Chief of Police on Sunday, concluding an extensive national search to lead the 72-member municipal law enforcement agency. Chestnut will succeed retiring Chief Denton Carlson, who served San Ramon for more than two decades and steered the department through historic community growth and regional safety initiatives.

Chestnut brings nineteen years of progressive law enforcement leadership to the role, having commanded both the operations and administrative bureaus in San Ramon alongside prior service with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. During her tenure overseeing operations, Chestnut spearheaded the expansion of community-oriented policing details, modernized youth diversion pathways, and integrated advanced automated license plate reader networks that significantly reduced residential burglary rates across Dougherty Valley.

City Manager Steven Spedowfski praised Chestnut’s proven operational capability and deep community trust during Sunday’s formal announcement at City Hall. He highlighted her instrumental role in structuring collaborative regional mutual-aid protocols across the Tri-Valley and her leadership during citywide emergency management activations. Her selection received unanimous concurrence from the San Ramon City Council during a special closed-session evaluation on Friday afternoon.

In her acceptance remarks, Chestnut emphasized that maintaining neighborhood accessibility, mental health crisis clinician co-response, and officer retention will serve as departmental priorities under her leadership. She affirmed that the department will expand its popular Citizens Academy and school resource partnerships across all four Dougherty Valley high school feeder patterns throughout the upcoming academic year.

Community leaders and local business owners in City Center Bishop Ranch welcomed the appointment, citing Chestnut's consistent visibility and proactive communication during downtown seasonal festivals and pedestrian safety reviews. Her deep familiarity with local neighborhoods ensures a seamless operational transition as the city continues its downtown development projects and pedestrian overcrossing improvements along Bollinger Canyon Road.

The community is invited to a public swearing-in ceremony and retirement reception honoring Chief Carlson on Tuesday, December 8, at 6:30 PM inside the Council Chamber at 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road. The event is open to the public, with light refreshments hosted by the San Ramon Police Officers Association following the formal oath of office.