Chief Jamie Knox has announced his retirement as Chief of Police for the City of Walnut Creek, effective at the end of 2025. Chief Knox will conclude a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years in law enforcement, including four and a half years at the helm of the Walnut Creek Police Department.
Since his appointment in 2021, Chief Knox has led the department through a period of innovation and transformation. Under his leadership, Walnut Creek PD became one of the first agencies in California to adopt the nationally recognized Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) program, which empowers officers to prevent misconduct and promote officer wellness. The City of Walnut Creek saw historically low crime rates under his leadership.
Chief Knox also launched the department’s Professional Standards and Training Unit, modernized recruitment efforts through a comprehensive branding campaign, introduced drone technology for critical incident response, and added a bomb detection K9 to the regional Bomb Team. His tenure saw the addition of five full-time officers and a Crime Prevention Specialist, bolstering community safety and department readiness.
Throughout his career, Chief Knox has been a forward-thinking, community-focused leader. He expanded the Chief’s Community Advisory Board, giving residents, business owners, and youth leaders a stronger voice in public safety, and consistently prioritized transparency and collaboration between the department and the community. He also worked closely with POST to improve hate crimes reporting throughout the state.
“Serving as Walnut Creek’s Police Chief has been the honor of a lifetime,” said Knox. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and grateful for the dedication of the men and women of this department and the support of our community.”
“Walnut Creek prides itself on being a city where everyone can safely live, work and play and where everyone feels welcome,” said Mayor Cindy Darling. “Chief Knox has built a modern police culture and I wish him the best of luck in his retirement.”
City Manager Dan Buckshi said, “I am thankful to Chief Knox for his many contributions to Walnut Creek. In addition to his successful efforts related to the Police Department, he has been an integral member of the broader City team having provided sound leadership throughout the organization and the community. I look forward to working with Chief Knox for the next few months and wish him all the best going forward.”
Before coming to Walnut Creek, Chief Knox held leadership roles with the San Leandro, Novato, and Rocklin Police Departments. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, and is a graduate of both the FBI National Academy and the Senior Management Institute for Police.
City leadership will begin the process of selecting the next Police Chief in the coming months. Chief Knox will remain in his role through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition