SUNNYVALE NAMES NEW PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR

SUNNYVALE, Calif. – The City of Sunnyvale has named Don Johnson its new Director of Public Safety. Johnson is expected to take command of the department on January 31.

Johnson most recently served as Chief of Police in the City of Los Altos. Prior to that, Johnson served for many years in the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, serving as a police services captain, a fire services captain and administrative and technical services captain.

“Bringing Don back to lead our Department of Public Safety will provide great benefits to our community,” said City Manager Amy Chan. “Don’s experience with our DPS, our local issues, our governmental processes and our budgeting system will all make the transition much easier for him and the City. I look forward to Don taking control of the department and leading its members forward.”

Sunnyvale is unique among cities of its size in the western United States. By combining law enforcement and fire protection into a single department, the City realizes significant cost savings. Each sworn public safety officer in the department is trained in both law enforcement and fire protection, and officers periodically rotate assignments between the services. While leading  such a department can be a challenge, Johnson’s experience within Sunnyvale DPS provides him with a distinct advantage.

Johnson has 25 years of experience in managing, supervising and delivering public safety services. He holds a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from San Jose State, is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has served for more than a decade on the executive board of San Jose State’s Administration of Justice Department.