Redwood City has a new police chief.
City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz announced the appointment of Kristina Bell as Redwood City's new Chief of Police, effective June 5.
Bell has held various positions within the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and has worked with communities and youth in Redwood City and North Fair Oaks.
“My primary objective as the Redwood City Police Chief is to work in partnership with the City Council, staff and the community to provide continued safety and security for those who work in, live in or visit our wonderful City,” said Bell. “I will continue to value and practice transparency and listen to all voices. Together, we can build upon the great foundation that has already been established in Redwood City.”
Following Chief Dan Mulholland's retirement, Bell will assume her role and the Police Department's website will share upcoming opportunities to connect with the incoming Chief.
Earlier this year, city officials told residents it planned to fill the position by May. The city hired Teri Black, a headhunter, to recruit the next chief, who told the residents that city officials did not plan to “settle” on just any candidate should they not make the May deadline.
“(Mulholland)’s hoping that we can time this just right so that he can retire…and that we’ll have the new chief start immediately,” Stevenson Diaz said at the time. “That’s best case, and that’s what we’re planning for.
“But I won’t ask anybody whom I don’t have confidence in to serve in that role,” she added.
It was not immediately known how many others applied for the police chief position.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
