Office of the Chief Jennifer Louis was named Interim Chief of Police when Chief Andrew Greenwood announced his retirement in March 2021 after nearly 33 years of service to the City of Berkeley. 
Chief Louis was born and raised in the Bay Area. She received her BA from California State University Hayward, and her JD from Santa Clara University. She was sworn in as a Berkeley Police officer in 1999. In her 22-year career she has worked in many diverse jobs throughout the department, including as a patrol officer, a field training officer, and a detective in the Domestic Violence Unit. After promoting to sergeant, she supervised the field training program, and was the first supervisor of a combined Special Victims Unit, which investigates domestic violence, sex crimes, and crimes against children. Chief Louis also served for many years on the departments Special Response Team. Prior to filling this role, Chief Louis served as the Captain of BPD’s Operations Division, as well as the Support Services Division.
The Office of the Chief is also comprised of two BPD Internal Affairs Sergeants who report directly to the Chief.
Message from the Chief
In my career as a police officer, supervisor, and through the ranks to Chief, I have always held a core value that Berkeley PD should be an agency of leaders at every level. Now more than ever I see the need for us to embrace this value in our relationships with our community as well. It is my vision that Berkeley Police Officers be valued leaders and participants in the Berkeley community.
In recent years our community and our country have confronted difficult facts about race and policing, and the effects law enforcement policies and actions have on our communities. I recognize the crucial importance of these conversations, and I will embrace the hard work of having this ongoing dialogue with our community. I am committed to being directly and deeply involved in the Reimagining Policing efforts our City has begun. My intent is that BPD will be an engaged and thoughtful partner throughout this process, with the goal of improving the lives and experience of everyone in our community. I am committed to being transparent about our policies and actions, to sharing data with our city partners and community stakeholders, and to carefully listen and improve our policies and practices in appropriate and intelligent ways.
One of the core roles of a police department will always be to protect people from violence and to combat crime. I am committed that Berkeley PD will continue to fulfill this responsibility with the highest standards for professionalism, integrity and honor. We will also work in service to our City, not only in our role as guardians but as community members.
Chief Jennifer Louis |