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City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: Human Resources
Meeting Date: April 6, 2026
Report #:2604-6200
TITLE
Approval of Selection of and Employment Agreement with James Reifschneider as the Chief of Police at an Annual Salary of $363,584; CEQA Status – Not a Project
RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends that the City Council confirm the City Manager’s selection of James Reifschneider as Police Chief and approve his employment agreement (Attachment A).
BACKGROUND
The Palo Alto Charter and Municipal Code establish the City Manager as the appointing authority for all department directors, and employees under the City Manager’s areas of responsibility. The Charter and Municipal Code specify that appointments made by the City Manager are subject to approval by the Council.1 Section 2.08.170 of the Municipal Code states the responsibilities of the Police Chief, which include the following, along with other duties as assigned by the City Manager:
The preservation of the public peace and order, the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of criminal suspects, the protection of persons and property, and the enforcement of law;
Enforcing all traffic regulations and the administration of the Police parking enforcement program;
The coordination of the Regional Communications System and to provide radio dispatching service for all city departments requiring such service; and, 1 Palo Alto Municipal Code section 2.08.020
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The enforcement of all city ordinances and state laws relating to the care, control, and rescue of all animals; and to cause to be performed all duties required by animal control officers.
ANALYSIS
James Reifschneider brings 21 years of law enforcement experience (with the City of Palo Alto), including the past year serving as Assistant Police Chief. In this role, he is responsible for leading the department in the Chief’s stead whenever needed, including during approved leaves, ensuring continuity of operations and clear command authority. He has a strong record of command-level leadership, operational excellence, and community engagement, having served five years as Captain and five years as Lieutenant, and rising through the ranks from Officer to Sergeant. Reifschneider earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings College of the Law) and practiced law for two years; he also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Santa Clara University.
The City Manager is advancing the appointment of Reifschneider to coincide with Police Chief Andrew Binder’s retirement. The City Manager reviewed this prospective appointment in consultation with an experienced police chief executive recruiter, and upon evaluation of multiple dimensions of the role recommends City Council approval. Reifschneider is an exceptionally strong candidate possessing all the requisite skills and experience for success as Palo Alto Chief of Police and further has shown leadership qualities to advance the policing profession into the future. This internal promotion demonstrates the strong culture of professional development and effective career advancement and continuity planning in the Palo Alto workforce.
Chief Reifschneider’s annual salary will be $363,584 and is an At-Will appointment, which means he will serve at the pleasure of the City Manager and can be terminated or asked to resign at any time. The employment agreement includes 24 weeks of severance, which is commensurate with other highly responsible executive positions (as well as the prior police chief’s agreement). All other benefits offered are consistent with the Compensation Plan for Management and Professional Personnel.
The effective date of the Appointment will be April 7, 2026.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
The cost of this appointment is fully funded within the adopted FY 2026 Police Department budget. No additional appropriation is required at this time. Ongoing costs will be incorporated into future fiscal year planning.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Council action on this item is not a project as defined by CEQA because approving an appointment and employment agreement is an organizational activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Employment Agreement DRAFT- Reifschneider APPROVED BY:
Sandra Blanch, Human Resources Director