Santa Clara is the only city in California that elects its chief of police. That could ultimately change. Last week, the Santa Clara Charter Review Committee unanimously recommended two ballot measures. One would make the city clerk an appointed position and the other would have the city appoint its police chief.
The Santa Clara City Council will now consider whether to put the recommendations on the March ballot.
Santa Clara Police Chief Pat Nikolai was elected by voters in an uncontested race three years ago. He favors the current system.
“I firmly believe that an elected chief is responsive directly to the residents of the city and is not beholden to anyone or any special interest,” Nikolai told San José Spotlight.
In a recent city survey, 72% of people agreed, saying voters should continue to elect the city’s police chief. But that survey had flaws. Just 243 voters responded to the survey and some were not registered to vote. Santa Clara has 30,000 registered voters. Assistant City Manager Cynthia Bojorquez cautioned that the survey should be taken “with a grain of salt.”