City of Merced appoints Steven Stanfield as new police chief
.JPG "Merced Police Department patrol vehicles parked in the department lot in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.")
The city of Merced has appointed a new police chief who will step into the role at the end of the month, according to city officials.
Steven Stanfield has been chosen to take over as Merced’s chief effective Oct. 30. Currently serving as the Modesto Police Department’s Assistant Division Commander of Patrol Division, Stanfield oversees the department’s patrol schedule, Use of Force and Pursuit tracking, manages the Real Time Crime Center and oversees the city’s blue light camera program.
During his 27 years in law enforcement, Stanfield has held many roles with the Modesto department as well as helping to develop the city’s Community Assistance and Response Team or CARE Unit, the Homeless Engagement and Response Team or HEART Team, the Beat Health Unit and the department’s first Leadership Development Program, according to city officials.
Stanfield will take over for Craig Gundlach who has served as Interim chief since March while the city scearched for a new chief.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chief Stanfield as our new chief of police,” Merced City Manager Stephanie Dietz said in a news release. “He embodies the values of our department and our community, and we are confident the he will uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and community engagement.”
City officials said Stanfield has a track record of building strong relationships with community members and collaborating with local organizations to address public safety challenges, and his leadership is pivotal in enhancing and maintaining public safety throughout the city.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be appointed as the chief of police for the city of Merced,” Stanfield said in the news release. “I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of our community members, and I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated officers and the entire Merced Community.”
Stanfield’s starting annual salary will be $200,000, the city said.
This story was originally published October 10, 2023 at 11:12 AM.