After months of searching, San Diego’s mayor tapped a familiar face to be the city’s next top cop.
At a news conference in his office Thursday morning, Mayor Todd Gloria announced his appointment of San Diego police Assistant Chief Scott Wahl, a 25-year veteran of the department and a lifelong San Diego County resident.
Gloria said Wahl would “hit the ground running on day one.”
“I believe he is the right person to continue keeping you and the people of the city of San Diego safe,” Gloria said.
Gloria pointed to concerns some of the city’s communities have expressed about policing,
“As mayor, it is imperative to me that we remain committed to the core principles of integrity, professionalism and unwavering dedication to public safety while also being inclusive and building trust with all of our communities,” he said.
“Assistant Chief Wahl gets that,” Gloria said. “That’s part of why I’ve chosen to appoint him.”
Over his decades-long career, Wahl has worked a variety of assignments. He served as the department spokesman for three years, was captain of Northern Division, which encompasses many of the city’s largest beach communities, and helped the department stand up its Neighborhood Policing Division, which addresses challenges including homelessness.
“I love this city, and I love this police department,” Wahl said. “I am here because want to make a difference in this police department.”
Wahl, a fourth generation San Diegan and the son of a San Diego police officer, said he has a “vested interest” in the success of the city and the police department.
“Doing this job is all I’ve ever wanted to do,” he said. “To be here today as the next chief of the San Diego Police Department — I cannot put into words how honored and proud I am.”
Wahl’s nomination follows a four-month, nationwide search for the city’s next police leader. Current police Chief David Nisleit must retire in June due to his participation in the city’s deferred retirement option program, known as DROP. The program allows some city employees to collect pension in a retirement account if they agree to retire within five years of the date they enroll.
Launched in November, the search included a series of meetings where residents could voice their thoughts on the department’s next chief, the development of a survey that collected similar information and several interview panels with community, city and law enforcement leaders.
Staff writer Teri Figueroa contributed to this report.
