Harbor Police Department Chief Announces Retirement

Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Contact: Ronald Powell (619) 686-6222; (619) 665-2815

Kirk Sanfilippo, a law enforcement veteran for more than three decades, the past four years as chief of the Port of San Diego’s Harbor Police Department, has announced his retirement effective Jan 5, 2010.

Sanfilippo disclosed his decision on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in a memorandum to all Harbor Police personnel.

“Having spent 31 years in public safety work, I along with my wife Jody, have decided to pursue other interests in life,” he wrote in his memorandum. “Primarily, we look forward to being with family and friends in the Pacific Northwest but, additionally, plan to engage in travel, community volunteer opportunities and consulting work.”

A search for the chief’s replacement is underway. It is being conducted by Bob Murray & Associates.

Stephen P. Cushman, chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners, said he is saddened by Sanfilippo’s departure.

“Chief Sanfilippo has been a strong regional and national leader, working cooperatively both with local law enforcement and with federal law enforcement on national security,” Cushman said. “His fairness and calm manner brought honor to the department and to the Port. His mix of veteran police know-how and people skills will be hard to replace.”

Sanfilippo has led the 166-member department, including more than 140 sworn officers, since April 2005 when he was named interim chief. He was appointed permanently to the position the following June.

Port President/CEO Charlie Wurster described Sanfilippo as an exemplary leader who has demonstrated a strong commitment to his department and the Port of San Diego.

“I have been impressed with the chief’s dedication to the Port and the men and women of his department,” Wurster said. “He has demonstrated that he is the type of leader who doesn’t back away from the tough decisions. I value his expert counsel, and wish him all the best in the future.”

Harbor Police officers provide law enforcement services for San Diego International Airport, San Diego Bay and the surrounding tidelands that encompass areas in five Port member cities -- Imperial Beach, Coronado, Chula Vista, National City and San Diego. Department officers also are trained as firefighters and they provide firefighting services on San Diego Bay.

Sanfilippo served 22 years with the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety before joining the Harbor Police force in 2003 as a captain.

He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Santa Clara University.

While in San Diego, he has been an active member of the San Diego County Chiefs and Sheriffs Association, the United States Coast Guard’s Area Maritime Security Committee, the San Diego Association of Government’s Public Safety Committee, the Executive Advisory Committee at Miramar College (Regional Police Academy), the Automated Regional Justice Information System Management Committee, the Regional Communications System Board of Directors, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force Executive Committee.

“As blessed as I have been by the rewards, I am even more grateful for the challenges that I have met during my six years with the San Diego Unified Port District, specifically with the Harbor Police Department,” Sanfilippo said of his career.

“Serving this department and community has been the most rewarding years of my career,” he continued. “I leave with fond memories and my heartfelt hope that service, leadership and integrity will continue to be the purposeful goals and spirit of this organization.”

Sanfilippo told the officers and other employees that he will attend department briefings in the coming weeks to better inform them of the planned recruitment process and transition plan for a new chief.

There is more than travel on his retirement to-do list.

“There is also a very strong possibility that the local golf courses, rod and gun club, bowling alley, campgrounds and our motorcycle will receive some of our attention as well.”

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