Robert Layne Dallas 1911 - 1918
Robert Layne Dallas 1911 - 1918
Robert Layne Dallas 1911 - 1918
In accordance with the provisions of the charter, the commissioners assembled July 1, 1911, and organized the commission.
Lots were drawn for the two-year and the four-year term and for the different departments and Robert L. Dallas was appointed the first Chief of Police for the City of Modesto.
Lee Everett Smith 1919 – 1936
Robert Layne Dallas 1911 - 1918
Robert Layne Dallas 1911 - 1918
Chief Lee Smith was the second appointed Chief of Police.
Born March 14, 1874 in Missouri, he was a patrolman with the department before being appointed. Under his command were three patrolmen and a captain.
He still operated out of a small one room office for headquarters at 1002 H Street until a new police building was completed in 1921 at 614 10th Street.
Elmer E. Arington 1936 - 1944
Robert Layne Dallas 1911 - 1918
Elmer E. Arington 1936 - 1944
Born April 11, 1889 in Gainsville, Texas, Chief Arington came to Butte County with his brother and subsequently settled in Modesto.
Chief Arington joined the police department in 1920 at the rank of Captain and upon the retirement of Chief Smith was appointed the third Chief of Police.
Urbane Henry “Pick” Pickering 1945 - 1952
George Clark Bowers 1957 - 1966
Urbane Henry “Pick” Pickering 1945 - 1952
Born June 3, 1899 in Hoxie, Kansas, Chief Pickering loved baseball. He worked his way to the American League and, on April 18, 1931, he made his Major League debut with the Boston Red Sox. He played two seasons in the Major Leagues.
Hired as Motor Officer for the City of Modesto July 3, 1934, promoted to Sergeant August 1, 1937, promoted t
Born June 3, 1899 in Hoxie, Kansas, Chief Pickering loved baseball. He worked his way to the American League and, on April 18, 1931, he made his Major League debut with the Boston Red Sox. He played two seasons in the Major Leagues.
Hired as Motor Officer for the City of Modesto July 3, 1934, promoted to Sergeant August 1, 1937, promoted to Captain March 16, 1941 and, upon death of Chief Arington, appointed to Chief March 7, 1945.
James Craig Neel 1952 - 1957
George Clark Bowers 1957 - 1966
Urbane Henry “Pick” Pickering 1945 - 1952
Born August 29, 1916 in San Francisco, California he moved to Palo Alto as a young boy, graduating from Palo Alto High School and attended and graduated from UC Berkeley.
Chief Neel began his career as a Special Agent with the FBI from 1941-1951. He acted as Chief of Police of Napa, Ca. from 1951-1952, when he was recruited to take over as Police Chief of Modesto in 1952.
George Clark Bowers 1957 - 1966
George Clark Bowers 1957 - 1966
George Clark Bowers 1957 - 1966
Born December 20, 1912 in Berkeley, Alameda County George Bowers entered law enforcement at an early age. In 1925 he was sworn in as sergeant of the first junior patrol to be established at Columbus School in Berkeley.
He continued his education at Berkeley High and later attended University of California. Chief Bowers was appointed Chief on October 14, 1957.
Robert L. Meester 1966 – 1967
Jerome Paul “Jerry” Ammerman 1968 – 1976
Jerome Paul “Jerry” Ammerman 1968 – 1976
Appointed as Chief in September 1966. Criminal allegations soon surfaced and an investigation by officers of MPD was conducted.
He was removed from office August 1967 by the Mayor after being indicted by the grand jury and charged with the commission of four felonies involving charges of conspiracy to plant evidence by the Attorney General. He was subsequently tried and acquitted of the charges.
Jerome Paul “Jerry” Ammerman 1968 – 1976
Jerome Paul “Jerry” Ammerman 1968 – 1976
Jerome Paul “Jerry” Ammerman 1968 – 1976
Former Assistant Public Safety Supervisor of Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety was appointed as head of the Department February 1968 six months after the shakeup that left the Department without a chief.
Gerald Leroy McKinsey 1976 – 1992
Jerome Paul “Jerry” Ammerman 1968 – 1976
Gerald Leroy McKinsey 1976 – 1992
Born May 29, 1927 in Oklahoma, Chief Gerald McKinsey was a product of the local public school system in central California. He graduated from Ceres High School and Modesto Junior College.
He joined the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office in January 1955.
In 1963, Sergeant Gerald McKinsey joined the Modesto City Police Department as the cap
Born May 29, 1927 in Oklahoma, Chief Gerald McKinsey was a product of the local public school system in central California. He graduated from Ceres High School and Modesto Junior College.
He joined the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office in January 1955.
In 1963, Sergeant Gerald McKinsey joined the Modesto City Police Department as the captain of the patrol division. In 1969, he transferred to the administrative division of the department.
In 1975, he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police, and in 1976, he was made Modesto Chief of Police where he served for 16 years.
He was "The Chief".
Paul Jefferson 1992 – 1999
Michael G. Harden 2010 – 2012
Paul Jefferson 1992 – 1999
Former Los Angeles Police Department Captain took over the reins of a growing department August 17, 1992. By mid-1995, the population of Modesto was estimated at 180,000 people and there were 301 total personnel including 213 sworn and 88 non-sworn.
Roy W. Wasden 2000 – 2009
Michael G. Harden 2010 – 2012
Paul Jefferson 1992 – 1999
Chief Wasden came to Modesto from Salt Lake City Police Department where he had attained the rank of Captain.
During his tenure, the Department suffered many crisis and high profile incidents.
We were fortunate to have a level headed, articulate and compassionate leader at the helm. The Sepulveda SWAT shooting, Chandra Levi case, Laci Pet
Chief Wasden came to Modesto from Salt Lake City Police Department where he had attained the rank of Captain.
During his tenure, the Department suffered many crisis and high profile incidents.
We were fortunate to have a level headed, articulate and compassionate leader at the helm. The Sepulveda SWAT shooting, Chandra Levi case, Laci Peterson murder investigation, Sergeant Steve May incident are a few of the crisis endured by the Department.
Michael G. Harden 2010 – 2012
Michael G. Harden 2010 – 2012
Michael G. Harden 2010 – 2012
Chief Harden came to MPD early as an Explorer and ‘grew up’ with the Department. He was hired as a sworn Police Officer July 10, 1984. He worked his way through the ranks and was appointed Chief in 2010.
Galen L. Carroll 2013 – 2020
Galen L. Carroll 2013 – 2020
Galen L. Carroll 2013 – 2020
Chief Carroll is a 20-year veteran in law enforcement. He began his career at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in Southern California where he worked in the jail as a Sheriff’s Special Officer.
He was hired by the Long Beach Police Department in March 1994 and promoted to the rank of Police Commander December 2010. Chief Carroll was
Chief Carroll is a 20-year veteran in law enforcement. He began his career at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in Southern California where he worked in the jail as a Sheriff’s Special Officer.
He was hired by the Long Beach Police Department in March 1994 and promoted to the rank of Police Commander December 2010. Chief Carroll was selected as the Modesto Police Chief on January 8, 2013.
During Chief Carroll's tenure he established a strong community partnership and increased the professionalism of all MPD personnel. He pressed for updating the police facilities and equipment. Although understaffed he led and inspired MPD to maintain high standards of of ethics and professionalism.
During the COVID 19 pandemic he continued to lead, inspire and ensure that MPD was safe and had proper equipment to battle this disease.
Chief Carroll retired December 25, 2020
Brandon I. Gillespie 2020 -
Galen L. Carroll 2013 – 2020
Galen L. Carroll 2013 – 2020
Chief Gillespie came to MPD on July 2, 2001 as an officer. He rose through the ranks to become the Assistant Chief of Police on October 29, 2019 and became the Interim Chief upon Chief Carroll's retirement.
The City conducted a comprehensive, nationwide search for a new Police Chief in March 2021. Feedback was sought from the community as
Chief Gillespie came to MPD on July 2, 2001 as an officer. He rose through the ranks to become the Assistant Chief of Police on October 29, 2019 and became the Interim Chief upon Chief Carroll's retirement.
The City conducted a comprehensive, nationwide search for a new Police Chief in March 2021. Feedback was sought from the community as well as Police Department staff to help guide the process.
In the end, Chief Gillespie’s qualities and skills best align with what the City, department and community needs. Simply put, he was the right person for the job to lead us forward.
On August 10, 2021 the Modesto City Council offered the position and Chief Gillespie accepted effective August 17, 2021.