The City of Gilroy announced it has hired a San Jose deputy police chief, Brandon Sanchez, as the south county city’s police chief, effective June 1.
Gilroy officials said Sanchez is a second-generation law enforcement officer with more than 26 years of experience in command-level leadership, patrol, investigations, administration, internal affairs, criminal intelligence, and homeland security training. He is deputy chief of field operations for San Jose.
In a press release, Gilroy praised Sanchez’ “proven record of reducing crime through community collaboration and problem-oriented policing, and his leadership has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation, accountability, and community-focused public strategy.”
Sanchez and his wife have lived in Gilroy for three years. Two of their three daughters currently attend college, and their youngest attends a local middle school. In his spare time, he enjoys basketball, golf, traveling, and hiking in the hills surrounding Gilroy.
Reflecting on what this appointment means for the community, Gilroy Mayor Greg Bozzo said, “Brandon’s track record shows both outstanding results and a deep respect for the communities he serves. I believe his accomplishments reflect a leader who combines effective strategies with strong partnerships and Gilroy is fortunate to welcome someone who not only brings impressive experience but also calls this community home.”
“I’m excited to build on the strong foundation that already exists within the Gilroy Police Department and am deeply committed to supporting our dedicated officers, fostering community partnerships, and continuing to advance thoughtful, innovative policing strategies that meet the needs of our growing community,” said Sanchez in a statement.
Gilroy said it selected Sanchez following an extensive search effort that drew strong candidates from both internal and external pools. The process included multiple panel interviews with community members, business leaders, Gilroy Unified School District leadership, labor representatives, and neighboring city managers and police chiefs.
