Pleasanton has a new police chief.

The city this week announced the hiring of Tracy Avelar as its new chief. Her first day on the job will be Dec. 9.

Avelar brings more than 20 years of law enforcement experience to Pleasanton, having served with the Foster City Police Department since 2002.

The city said in a statement Avelar has extensive experience in all aspects of police operations. She worked her way through the ranks and became the first female lieutenant, captain, and chief in Foster City’s history.

“Chief Avelar has a proven track record of leadership and innovation in law enforcement, and we are excited to welcome her to Pleasanton,” said Pleasanton City Manager Gerry Beaudin. “Her dedication to community engagement, public safety, and operational excellence will be a great asset to our city.”

“Pleasanton holds a special place in my heart and I am truly honored to step into the role of police chief for the city.” Chief Tracy Avelar

Avelar served in various positions in Foster City, including overseeing youth services, crime prevention, hiring, and day-to-day operations of the patrol division. She also managed critical department programs, including field training, SWAT, and traffic enforcement.

As a captain, she was responsible for administrative and operational divisions, overseeing dispatch, records, investigations, and budget preparation.

Avelar is the current president of the California Police Chiefs Association.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice management and a master’s in homeland security from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security. She is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership Institute and the LAPD Leadership Academy.

“Pleasanton holds a special place in my heart and I am truly honored to step into the role of police chief for the city,” Avelar said, in the statement. “I have so much respect for the men and women of this department and look forward to working alongside them to continue building strong community partnerships, ensuring public safety, and fostering trust and transparency.”