The City of Scotts Valley has selected Jayson Rutherford as its next Chief of Police, the city announced on Feb. 19. Rutherford has been serving as the interim police chief since November after Chief Steve Walpole retired.
A native of Stockton, Calif., Chief Rutherford joined the Scotts Valley Police Department in 1998 after graduating college. He spent his entire law enforcement career with Scotts Valley, serving as Officer, Sergeant, and Captain.
His historical knowledge, not only of the police department, but of the city overall is very valuable to the continuity of leadership and continuing our tradition of community-based policing that the residents of Scotts Valley expect, according to a press release from the city.
“I am fully invested in the community, both personally and professionally. I live here, I’ve raised my family here, and the continued safety and quality of life for our community means everything to me,” said Chief Rutherford. “It is my honor and privilege to serve my community as Chief.”
Chief Rutherford was officially sworn-in as the seventh Police Chief in Scotts Valley’s 60-year history on March 2.