San Luis Obispo City Police Chief Deborah Linden announced last week that she plans on retiring from her public safety career at the end of 2011.

“The time is right, both personally and professionally, to move on to a different chapter in my life and pass the baton to a new police chief,” Linden said. “We will have implemented a new budget, the police department has an excellent leadership team in place, and we’ve completed some significant, long-term projects such as the new dispatch center.”

Chief Linden has served the city of San Luis Obispo as chief of police since January 2003. During her tenure, Linden has been dedicated to protecting public safety while leading the department during many major criminal investigations and significant events such as the Mardi Gras riots. Moreover, Linden has been a true believer in improving quality of life in San Luis Obispo through collaborative problem solving policing.

“I have been incredibly fortunate to have a career that allowed me to serve the public in such a meaningful way” said Linden. “I feel honored and humbled to have worked with some of the finest law enforcement professionals anywhere. I am incredibly proud of the work accomplished by employees at the Police Department every day, and I will miss them tremendously.”

She led the efforts to modify the noise ordinance to be a more effective tool that has improved the quality of life for many residents in neighborhoods impacted by parties. She has also been a tireless champion of efforts to combat over consumption of alcohol.

City Manager Katie Lichtig praised Linden’s commitment, energy and professional accomplishments in acknowledging her exemplary tenure as chief. 

“Deb is an amazing police chief," Lichtig said. "She is an exceptional law enforcement leader who exemplifies the best qualities of a police chief. She is innovative, collaborative and caring.”

Lichtig also expressed appreciation for Linden’s tireless volunteerism in San Luis Obispo during her tenure.

“Deb is an inspiration in her generosity and commitment to the people of SLO. She has donated untold hours and money to many worthy causes in the City. She really exemplifies the great spirit of giving that is a touchstone in our City,” Lichtig added.

After earning a bachelor's degree from UC Santa Barbara, Linden began her law enforcement career in 1984 at the age of 22, as a deputy sheriff in Santa Barbara County. During her 18-year tenure at the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department, Linden served in a variety of assignments including patrol deputy, narcotics detective, major crimes detective, patrol sergeant, major crimes sergeant, lieutenant, and commander.

At the time of her retirement, Linden will have served as Police Chief for nine years.

In addition to her duties as chief of police, she has been very involved in representing the city and her profession at the state level. She is serving her third term on the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training and is a board member for the California Police Chiefs’ Association.

Throughout her tenure in San Luis Obispo, Linden has been involved with various community organizations. She is currently on the boards of Transitions Mental Health Association and the Anti-Defamation League, and serves as the law enforcement representative and vice-chairperson of the Homeless Services Oversight Council. She is a member of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo and will serve as the club president in 2012-13.

In 2010, she was honored with the Cuesta College Women of Distinction Grace N. Mitchell Lifetime Achievement Award. Chief Linden holds a Master of Arts Degree in Leadership from St. Mary’s College. Throughout her career, she has been involved in teaching at the college level and in the police academy.

Linden and her husband Bill plan to stay in the area and she will continue her service with community organizations. She hopes to resume teaching part-time and spend more time with her family, including their two adult sons and elderly parents.

A national recruitment will begin shortly in order to have the next police chief appointed by the time Linden retires in late December.