Kaloma Smith says - “We can't complain in 36 months about police policies and police chief (if), when we had the opportunity, we did not give clear, concise, policy-minded consideration to this process,…”

Yes we can and should complain loudly and as many times as needed if there is backsliding on the police reforms we have enacted.

There are a raft of systemic issues in the PAPD - excessive use of force, non-transparency, racism, cover-up, unaccountability - for which even an excellent new Chief is no panacea, but fine leadership is critical for change. There must be vigilance on our part and City Councils.

There must be an experienced professional hired to search for a new Chief. Cast the net wide and don’t be in a hurry (appoint an interim Chief). Don’t just hire from the city next door or from within the PAPD - the Dept and culture needing reform.

Maybe we would get lucky and find an ethnic or gender diverse hire for top leadership.

This is a great opportunity. Let’s treat it as such.

The criminals that prey on us are not Palo Altans. They come from out-of-town to smash-and-grab in our parking garages, to rob us on our streets at night, and to burglarize our homes during the day. As a property owner and taxpayer, I’d prefer protection over fashionable coddling of people who disrespect our police. Resisting arrest escalates danger and should never be tolerated. I knew this when I was 6 years old. Why haven’t others figured this out?

All of the police departments in Santa Clara County should be consolidated into one county department. The consolidation would allow a better response rate and reduce the overall cost of city services. The County Sheriffs department is very good, they need a new chief. In San Mateo county, several cities eliminated their police departments and the service is better as a county police department.

Why is this described as a "retirement" when in fact he resigned or quit to run for office where he'd continue working if elected?

Delighted that Jonson is "retiring". Good Riddance. I will not be voting for him as new County Sherriff. Would not be an improvement over Laurie Smith. I hope the other candidates have a better record than Smith or Jonson.

We need transparency, punishment and elimination of officers that have ever used excessive force.
Please, please vote carefully.

Another racist in power. I hope Santa Clara County supervisor or council members don't hire this man. He was a racist chief in Menlo Park, and in Palo Alto under his management he saw his officers abuse their power at Buena Vista Home Park and didn't do anything.