After a seven-month retirement from the Pleasanton department, he took on the role of Menlo Park's interim chief at the end of July, filling the vacancy created when former Chief Dave Bertini abruptly announced his departure from the department during a June City Council discussion on police reform.
"I genuinely look forward to lending my experience to San Rafael and working with a team of committed public service professionals," said Spiller in a statement. "San Rafael is a wonderful, supportive community and I am eager to be a part of this very special place."
His starting salary will be $16,152 per month. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The city of Menlo Park is making progress toward selecting a new police chief. According to City Manager Starla Jerome-Robinson, the city has received applications from a number of qualified candidates and interviews were scheduled to begin last week.
"We have an excellent slate of candidates," she said. "I'm feeling very excited about that."
"Chief Spiller has been of great value to our organization, and I genuinely appreciate his time with the city of Menlo Park. I wish him the best in his future endeavors," she said in an email to The Almanac. "With his eminent departure, the city is moving forward efficiently with the police chief recruitment, with the intention of having a new chief in place in the near future."
She added that the city plans to conduct a thorough background check of the next chief, who will need some time to notify his or her current agency before leaving.
"We are proceeding as quickly as possible, but I need confidence that the new chief has the right skill set, professional experience and fit for the police department, and the city," she wrote.
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