South San Francisco Selects New Police Chief Jeff Azzopardi

South San Francisco Chief of Police Jeff Azzopardi

The City of South San Francisco has selected Jeff Azzopardi as its new Chief of Police. Chief Azzopardi will lead all Police Department operations as well as partnering with the community to facilitate neighborhood-oriented policing. Chief Azzopardi replaces former Police Chief Mike Massoni who recently retired after 35 years of service with the South San Francisco Police Department, the last five years serving as Chief.

Over the past five months, the City conducted a nationwide search for a new Police Chief, which yielded 34 applicants from around the United States. Through an extensive vetting process, six finalists were selected and after numerous panel and individual interviews, Jeff Azzopardi emerged as the most qualified candidate.

“I am very pleased to have Jeff as our new Police Chief,” stated City Manager Mike Futrell, “he is energetic, experienced and dedicated to keeping South San Francisco safe.”

Chief Azzopardi is a 22-year veteran of the South San Francisco Police Department, starting in 1993 as a patrol officer responsible for building relationships with the community and teaching safety classes to children. He worked his way through the ranks serving as a police corporal, police sergeant, police lieutenant and police captain, ultimately overseeing the Police Department’s Patrol Division and Criminal Investigation Bureau. He also served as a watch commander for the San Mateo County Gang Task Force as an officer in the San Mateo County Law Commander’s Group. During his service, Chief Azzopardi received commendations from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and the City of South San Francisco, and was a two-time recipient of the SSFPD Captain’s Supernumerary Award.

In the community, Chief Azzopardi is known for his professional affiliations, which include South San Francisco’s Lions Club, San Mateo County 100 Club, South San Francisco Police Association, Peninsula Police Officers’ Association, California Sexual Assault Investigators’ Association, and St. Peter’s Men’s Club. Chief Azzopardi has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Notre Dame de Namur University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration from California State University- Chico, and is a graduate of the Los Angeles Police Department Leadership Academy.

“I am honored to have been chosen from among such a great group of candidates for the position of Police Chief,” said Jeff Azzopardi. “South San Francisco is a very safe community and through our partnerships with our neighbors and merchants we will make sure that we remain one of the safest cities in the Bay Area.”

###

See more on ESC CLICK HERE