Pittsburg swears in Phil Galer as its 11th police chief

Pittsburg has sworn in Phil Galer as its 11th chief of police, the city announced Thursday. The ceremony was held earlier in May, with family, city staff and residents present.

City Manager Darin Gale made the appointment. Galer has spent 25 years with the Pittsburg Police Department and has worked across nearly every division of municipal policing. He holds a bachelor's degree in occupational studies and a master's degree in criminal justice, and is a graduate of the California Peace Officers Standards and Training Command College.

"I am confident that Captain Galer is the right person to lead the City of Pittsburg's Police Department into the future," Gale said in the city's announcement. He cited Galer's service record, his understanding of the city and his fit with the department's values, and said he was glad to appoint an internal candidate.

Galer succeeds Chief Albanese, and said in the same announcement that he intends to build on that record.

"It is an honor of a lifetime to lead the men and women of the Pittsburg Police Department and continue to be a part of this community," Galer said. "I am committed to building upon the strong foundation laid by Chief Albanese and ensuring we remain responsive to the needs of our residents and businesses."