Scotts Valley Police Lt. Steve Walpole will serve as the city’s Interim Police Chief, beginning Dec. 9 until a permanent appointment is made, City Manager Jenny Haruyama announced Wednesday.
Police Chief John Weiss, who has served as Scotts Valley Chief of Police since 2006, will be retiring in December.
Walpole is one of the candidates for permanent chief.
The Walpole name is a familiar one for Scotts Valley residents.
His father, Stephen Walpole, was chief of police for 15 years, retiring in 2001.
Since joining the department three years ago, Lt. Walpole, a Scotts Valley native, has implemented initiatives that have served as a catalyst for community engagement, public safety, and operational effectiveness.
Lt. Walpole previously served 16 years as a police officer and later sergeant for the Town of Los Gatos, and earlier had been a police officer for the City of Watsonville.
He graduated from Southern Oregon University with a degree in Criminology, is a life-long resident of Scotts Valley. He and his wife Melissa have two sons, Stephen and Tobin.
