Palo Alto Police Chief Andrew Binder has announced his retirement, and the city manager is recommending the city’s assistant chief for the position.

City Manager Ed Shikada selected James Reifschneider to fill Binder’s shoes. The ultimate selection of the police chief is subject to confirmation by the City Council, but Reifschneider is expected to step into the role on April 7, with a salary of $363,584, city officials said.

Palo Alto Police Chief Andrew Binder (left) announced his retirement on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. James Reifschneider, the department’s assistant chief, has been selected as the new chief and will begin his duties on Tuesday, April 7. (Palo Alto Police Department via Bay City News)

Binder’s retirement ends a 28-year law enforcement career, 18 of which were served with the city of San Jose and 10 years in Palo Alto.

Palo Alto Mayor Vicki Veenker sang Binder’s praises this week, commending him for his department’s commitment to transparency and focus on equity.

In Palo Alto, Binder began as a lieutenant and rose to captain before becoming assistant chief and then chief of police in August 2022.

“The decision to retire was not an easy one as I am going to miss the everyday interactions with the Palo Alto community, police department colleagues, and City executive leadership team,” Binder said in a release sent out by the city.

Reifschneider was an attorney before becoming an officer and has risen through the ranks of the Palo Alto Police Department after joining it in 2005. He served as a lieutenant for five years, then as a captain for another five. He became assistant chief last year.

“The decision to retire was not an easy one as I am going to miss the everyday interactions with the Palo Alto community, police department colleagues, and City executive leadership team.”
Chief Andrew Binder

“I am advancing James as Palo Alto’s next Chief of Police with confidence that he will provide outstanding leadership to the Police Department team with his two decades of law enforcement expertise and demonstrated skill in leading with integrity, equity and accountability,” said Shikada.

Reifschneider said he will focus on fighting crime “with the utmost professionalism and integrity” and wants to increase the number of sworn officers through robust recruitment.

Reifschneider is a Bay Area native, receiving a Bachelor of Science in political science from Santa Clara University, and a law degree from University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings).

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.