San Jose Deputy Police Chief Anthony Mata has been promoted to chief of the department following a nationwide search.
Mata, who was confirmed as chief by the San Jose City Council on Tuesday, was one of four finalists for the position after former Chief Eddie Garcia's announced his retirement last summer. Garcia has since become police chief in Dallas.
The new chief gave his first public remarks Wednesday, surrounded by San Jose’s top civic leaders. "Tony has demonstrated throughout his career strong bonds with the community, a passion for service and a deep commitment to this department," said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo.
"I will look forward to working with the community, to find ways to serve more effectively with a focus on fairness, equity and compassion," Mata said.
Mata joined the San Jose Police Department as an officer in 1996, later serving as a deputy chief for more than four years before Tuesday's announcement. The review process turned up a number of incidents in Mata’s career that have given some cause for concern, including the 1999 fatal shooting of an unarmed man while Mata was on duty.
City officials, though, said the incidents have been reviewed extensively.
He will begin as chief starting next Monday.
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