Los Gatos Top Cop Is New Head of State Police Chiefs Association

Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Chief Scott Seaman will be sworn in as the new president of the California Police Chiefs Association Wednesday during a ceremony in Sacramento.

Seaman will take the helm of the organization during its 35th annual Training Symposium and Trade Show, whose theme this year is “Challenges and Opportunities.”

"I am deeply honored to serve as president of the California Police Chiefs Association," Seaman said. "Our association represents California's 332 municipal police chiefs who represent 78 percent of California residents."

Established in 1966, the California Police Chiefs Association represents municipal law enforcement agencies in the state and is an influential participant in the state's legislative process, according to its website.

The organization's objectives are to promote and advance the science and art of police administration and crime prevention; and to develop and disseminate professional administrative practices.

It also fosters police cooperation and the exchange of information and experience throughout the state, recruits and trains qualified persons in the police profession and encourages the adherence of all police officers to high professional standards of conduct in strict compliance with the Law Enforcement Officer’s Code of Ethics.

Seaman had been serving on the organization's executive board as its first vice president. He's been in law enforcement for more than 35 years.

He succeeds David L. Maggard, Jr. as president, the police chief of the City of Irvine.

Seaman led the effort to create the association's two-year strategic plan. "A key goal of mine will be to lead the implementation of that plan. Law enforcement faces many challenges with budget cutbacks to cities resulting in the reduction of staffing and resources. Our association is working hard to protect those law enforcement resources which cities depend upon to provide front-line law enforcement services," he said.

Los Gatos Town Manager Greg Larson said: “Chief Seaman continues to serve Los Gatos exceptionally well. We are honored to share a bit of his leadership across the state as we begin to emerge from these tough economic times.”

As chief of the LGMSPD, he supervises 41 officers and 18 civilian staff.

Seaman earned his bachelor's degree in criminology from the University of California-Berkeley.

He began his career with the San Jose Police Department in August 1975. He worked a large number of assignments there, including patrol, investigations, community work, narcotics, sexual assault unit, street crimes unit and personnel. As a pilot, he also flew the department's plane on collateral assignments. 

Seaman received specialized training through the FBI National Academy, a 10-week program for law enforcement and the California Command College, a two-year program, which contributed toward a master's degree in management. In 2002, after a 27-year career with the SJPD, he became aware of an opening in Los Gatos. He got the job as the town's top cop, and on July 1, 2002, was sworn in as the .

Seaman also serves on the board of the YMCA of Silicon Valley and is a member of Rotary. He's been married for almost 30 years and has two adult children: a son, age 27; and a daughter, age 25. His hobbies include woodworking, fly fishing, traveling, cooking and flying.

Los Gatos resident and community advocate Jonathan Knowles, president of the , said he would be attending the ceremony and was delighted to see Seaman begin a new leadership role with the state police chiefs group.

"We experience Chief Seaman's above and beyond commitment to our community and his outstanding level of professionalism daily. This is not only an honor for Scott, but an honor that all Los Gatos and Monte Sereno residents will take pride in. I know I speak for many when I say I am privileged to know and have the good fortune to work with him," Knowles said.