The City of Sunnyvale has picked Daniel Pistor as the next Chief of the Department of Public Safety, and his appointment will take effect Sunday, according to city officials.
Pistor, currently Deputy Chief of Fire Services within the department, was selected following a national recruitment process and will succeed former Chief Phan Ngo, who retired in April. Deputy Chief Ava Fanucchi served as interim chief during the transition.
“Chief Pistor is in a unique position to lead Sunnyvale’s Public Safety Department into its next chapter,” City Manager Tim Kirby said in a statement released Wednesday. “Over the past 22 years, he has risen through the ranks, earning the confidence and respect of his colleagues while strengthening the department’s reputation through dedicated service to our community.”
Pistor began his career with the Honolulu Police Department, where he worked on multi-state narcotics investigations. He joined Sunnyvale DPS in 2003 and has since held various leadership roles, including K9 Officer, SWAT captain, and public information officer.
He also had a central role in the department’s COVID-19 emergency response and its efforts to improve firefighter safety, operational efficiency, and emergency readiness.
“I’m honored to lead the exceptional professionals of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety,” Pistor said in a statement released by the city. “Community trust is the cornerstone of public safety, and I will continue to prioritize transparency, communication, and equity in every aspect of our work.”