City to start search for successor in next few months

By News staff

Monday, August 25 (8:30 a.m.): Walnut Creek police Chief Jamie Knox will retire at the end of 2025, concluding a career spanning more than 30 years in law enforcement, the past 4½ leading the Walnut Creek Police Department.

“Serving as Walnut Creek’s police chief has been the honor of a lifetime,” Knox said in a city news release announcing his retirement.

Since Knox’s appointment in 2021, Walnut Creek has seen historically low crime rates, according to the news release, and under his leadership the department has become one of the first in California to adopt the nationally recognized Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) program, which empowers officers to prevent misconduct and promote officer wellness.

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 included the addition of five full-time officers and a crime prevention specialist, bolstering community safety and department readiness.

He expanded the Chief’s Community Advisory Board, giving residents, business owners and youth leaders a stronger voice in public safety, and worked closely with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to improve hate-crime reporting throughout the state.

Mayor Cindy Darling said, “Walnut Creek prides itself on being a city where everyone can safely live, work and play and where everyone feels welcome … Chief Knox has built a modern police culture, and I wish him the best of luck in his retirement.”

City Manager Dan Buckshi said Knox “has been an integral member of the broader city team having provided sound leadership throughout the organization and the community.”

Before coming to Walnut Creek, Knox held leadership roles with police departments in San Leandro, Novato and Rocklin.

City leaders will begin the process to select Knox’s successor in the next few months. Knox will remain in his role through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.