San Jose Assistant Police Chief Paul Joseph will serve as acting chief after Chief Anthony Mata leaves the department at the end of March, city officials said Friday.
City Manager Jennifer Maguire announced Joseph’s appointment and said a firm was selected to recruit a permanent replacement for Mata.
Joseph joined the San Jose Police Department in 1994, after serving as an officer in San Mateo for 2½ years. He has been the city’s assistant chief since March 2021. Joseph has a juris doctor degree from the University of California College of Law San Francisco and a bachelor of arts degree in political science from California State University Northridge.
Mata has been with the department for 28 years and when he steps down at the end of the month, he will work as Investigations Bureau Chief for the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
Public Sector Search & Consulting Inc. was selected as executive recruiter for the chief, Maguire said.
Outreach for community engagement in the recruitment process for a new chief includes a citywide online survey, community meetings, key stakeholder focus groups and one-on-one sessions, police department employee online survey and meetings, and mayor and city council meetings.