HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2604-6200CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, April 06, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
AA1.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 New Item
Added, Public Comment
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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
ATTACHMENTS
APPROVED BY:
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN CITY OF PALO ALTO
AND
JAMES REIFSCHNEIDER
THIS AGREEMENT is between the City of Palo Alto, a municipal corporation and chartered city,
(“City”) and James Reifschneider (“Reifschneider”). It is effective on the latest date next to the
signatures on the last page.
This Agreement is entered into on the basis of the following facts:
A. City, acting by and through its City Manager, wishes to employ Reifschneider as its
Police Chief, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Palo Alto
Municipal Code and the Charter of the City of Palo Alto (the "Charter").
B. Under chapter 2.08 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, the Police Chief is appointed by the
City Manager with the approval of the City Council. Notwithstanding any provision of the City of
Palo Alto Merit System Rules and Regulations, the Police Chief serves on an at-will basis, with no
expectation of continued employment, and with no right to pre-or post-separation due process or
appeal.
C. Reifschneider desires to be employed by the City as its Police Chief, subject to the
terms and conditions in this Agreement, the Palo Alto Municipal Code, the Charter, the Palo Alto
Merit System Rules and Regulations, and all other applicable laws, resolutions, and policies.
D. The City and Reifschneider wish to establish specific terms and
conditions relating to compensation and benefits and related matters.
BASED UPON THE FOREGOING, THE CITY AND REIFSCHNEIDER AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
1 Employment. The City appoints Reifschneider as its Police Chief for an indefinite term to begin on
April 7, 2026 (“Employment Start Date”). Except as otherwise provided herein, Reifschneider ’s
employment with the City shall be governed by the City Council-adopted Compensation Plan for
Management and Professional Personnel and Council Appointees, as it currently exists and may be
changed from time to time.
2 Duties of the Police Chief. Reifschneider will perform the duties established for the Police Chief by the
Palo Alto Municipal Code, by direction given by the City Manager, and as otherwise provided by law,
ordinance, or regulation. Reifschneider agrees to comply with all federal, state and local laws,
ordinances, rules and regulations applicable to or associated with these duties.
2.1 Full Energy and Skill. Reifschneider will devote his full energy, skill,
ability, and productive time to the performance of his duties.
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2.2 No Conflict. Reifschneider will not engage in any outside employment, activity,
consulting service, or other enterprise, for compensation or otherwise, which is
actually or potentially in conflict with, or which interferes with the performance of
his duties. Reifschneider acknowledges that he is subject to the various conflict of
interest requirements found in the California Government Code and state and local
policies and regulations.
2.3 Permission Required For Outside Activities. Reifschneider will not engage in any
outside employment, activity, consulting service, or other enterprise, for
compensation or not, without written permission of the City Manager, provided in
advance of such outside employment, activity, consulting service, or other
enterprise.
3 Salary. While performing the duties of Police Chief, Reifschneider will receive a base salary within the
range provided in the City Council-approved Compensation Plan for Management and Professional
Personnel and Council Appointees, as it currently exists and may be changed from time to time.
Reifschneider will receive an initial gross base annual salary of Three Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand
and Five-hundred and Eighty-Four Dollars ($363,584), beginning on the Employment Start Date, and
subject to increases or changes approved by Council in the Compensation Plan for Management and
Professional Personnel and Council Appointees. This amount is subject to authorized or required
deductions and withholding, prorated and paid on City's regular paydays. Reifschneider is an exempt
employee under applicable wage and hour law, and his base salary shall be compensation for all hours
worked. The City agrees that the amount of Reifschneider’s base annual salary will not decrease,
except as part of a permanent decrease that is consistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
4 Benefits, Allowances and Obligations. Reifschneider will be eligible for, and shall receive, all regular
benefits (i.e., health insurance, PERS contributions to the extent paid by the City, etc.) and vacation, sick
leave, and management leave, as are generally provided to management employees under the City
Council-approved Compensation Plan for Management and Professional Personnel and Council
Appointees, as it currently exists and may be changed from time to time. In addition, Reifschneider will
assume all obligations and make all regular contributions (i.e., employee assumption of a portion of the
employer PERS contribution) as are generally required of management employees under the City
Council-approved Compensation Plan for Management and Professional Personnel and Council
Appointees, as it currently exists and may be changed from time to time.
5 Additional Benefits and Allowances. In addition to the benefits specified in section 4, Reifschneider
will receive the following additional benefits and allowances:
5.1 Severance. If Reifschneider is terminated or asked to resign, he shall, upon
execution of a release of all claims against the City, be eligible for a severance
payment equivalent to twelve (12) weeks of salary and benefits. The amount of
the severance payment shall increase by twelve (12) weeks, to a total of twenty-
four (24) weeks, after 12 months of service as Chief of Police. No severance shall
be paid if Reifschneider is terminated for serious misconduct involving abuse of
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his office or position, including, but not limited to, waste, fraud, violation of the
law under color of authority, misappropriation of public resources, violence,
harassment, or discrimination. If Reifschneider is later convicted of a crime
involving such abuse of his position, he shall fully reimburse the City as set forth
in Government Code section 53243.3
6 Duration of Employment. Reifschneider understands and agrees that he has no constitutionally
protected property or other interest in his employment as Police Chief. Reifschneider waives any and
all rights, if any, under the Merit System Rules and Regulations, including without limitation, the
right to pre-or post- disciplinary due process. Reifschneider understands and agrees that he works at
the will and pleasure of the City Manager and that he may be terminated or asked to resign at any
time, with or without cause. Reifschneider may terminate this agreement (terminating all
employment) upon 30 days written notice to the City Manager.
7 Miscellaneous.
7.1 Notices. Notices given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be either: a)
served personally; or b) sent by Email (provided a hard copy is mailed within one (1)
business day; or c) delivered by first-class United States mail, certified, with postage
prepaid and a return receipt requested; or d) sent by Federal Express, or some
equivalent private mail delivery service. Notices shall be deemed received at the earlier
of actual receipt or three (3) days following deposit in the United States mail, postage
prepaid. Notices shall be directed to the addresses shown below, provided that a party
may change such party's address for notice by giving written notice to the other party in
accordance with this subsection.
CITY: Attn: City Manager
250 Hamilton Avenue Palo
Alto, CA 94301 Phone: (650)
329-22280
Fax: (650) 328-3631
REIFSCHNEIDER: James Reifschneider
250 Hamilton Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301
7.2 Entire Agreement/ Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire
understanding and agreement between the parties as to those matters contained in
it, and supersedes any and all prior or contemporaneous agreements,
representations and understandings of the parties. This Agreement may be
amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties, but any such amendment
must be in writing, dated, and signed by the parties and attached hereto.
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7.3 Applicable Law and Venue. This Agreement shall be interpreted according to the
laws of the State of California. Venue of any action regarding this Agreement shall
be in the proper court in Santa Clara County.
7.4 Severability. In the event any portion of this Agreement is declared void, such
portion shall be severed from this Agreement and the remaining provisions shall
remain in effect, unless the result of such severance would be to substantially alter
this Agreement or the obligations of the parties, in which case this Agreement shall
be immediately terminated.
7.5 Waiver. Any failure of a party to insist upon strict compliance with any term,
undertaking, or condition of this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of
such term, undertaking, or condition. To be effective, a waiver must be in writing,
signed and dated by the parties.
7.6 Representation by Counsel. Reifschneider and the City acknowledge that they each
did, or had the opportunity to, consult with legal counsel of their respective choices
with respect to the matters that are the subject of this Agreement prior to executing
it.
7.7 Section Headings. The headings on each of the sections and subsections of this Agreement
are for the convenience of the parties only and do not limit or expand the contents of any
such section or subsection.
REIFSCHNEIDER CITY OF PALO ALTO
___________________________ ___________________________
James Reifschneider City Manager
Date: Date:
Approved as to Form:
___________________________
City Attorney’s Office
From:Hamilton Hitchings
To:Council, City
Subject:I support James Reifschneider for Palo Alto Police Chief
Date:Sunday, April 5, 2026 4:10:52 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
I support promoting James Reifschneider to be Palo Alto’s next Police Chief.
My support is based on years of direct experience with Palo Alto police leadership, police
policy, and community oversight. That includes helping author the Safety Element of our
city’s Comprehensive Plan, including discussions about body-worn cameras and
accountability. In addition, completing Stanford’s Citizen’s Police Academy, and serving for
five years on Chief Jonsen’s Citizen Advisory Group.
Over those years, Assistant Chief Andrew Binder brought major department reforms to our
committee for presentation and feedback following the murder of George Floyd. Those
reforms were then implemented and continued when he became chief. Based on that
experience, it was clear to me that the department’s leadership was aligned in moving Palo
Alto toward a more transparent, accountable, and community-centered culture. I believe
Acting Chief Reifschneider will continue that work.
I have also worked with Acting Chief Reifschneider on adoption of some of the
department’s more complex technologies. I found him to have an in-depth, on-point and
clear-headed understanding of the issues. The processes he helped put in place were
more careful and more thorough than those in many neighboring agencies, and that helped
Palo Alto avoid some of the public missteps other cities have faced.
One of the things I respected about Chief Binder was his willingness to spend real time with
community members, including his strongest critics. Acting Chief Reifschneider has that
same spirit. He is personable, responsive, and willing to listen. I believe he will continue a
culture where the community is heard and its concerns are taken seriously.
I also speak from the perspective of having served on the Police Chief interview committee.
In my professional life as a former tech executive, I interviewed hundreds of candidates and
wrote performance evaluations for many managers and directors. Our committee
interviewed the top four external candidates, along with Assistant Chief Binder, before
selecting him.
If Acting Chief Reifschneider had been the internal candidate at that time, my
recommendation would have been the same.
Palo Alto does not need to start over. We already have an outstanding leader serving as
Acting Chief.
James Reifschneider is earnest, hardworking, highly intelligent, knowledgeable, and
extremely capable. He is a strong communicator, and I believe he will carry forward the
best of the culture and practices Chief Binder put in place.
For those reasons, I strongly support the City Manager’s recommendation to appoint James
Reifschneider as Palo Alto’s next Police Chief.
Hamilton Hitchings