New Hayward Chief of Police Bryan Matthews, a Hayward Rotarian, will address the Hayward Rotary Club at its lunch meeting on Monday, March 18. He is a career Hayward police officer and has taken command of a department he led in a temporary and acting capacity since September 2022.
Matthews, whose appointment was effective Wednesday, Jan. 3, succeeds Chief Toney Chaplin, who retired after a 33-year career in policing.
Chief Matthews takes charge of a department with 197 sworn police officer and 136.5 non-sworn professional staff positions.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to give back to the community that, in many ways, raised me," the new chief said after his appointment by the Hayward City Council. "Hayward holds a very special place in my heart."
At the Rotary meeting, Matthews will talk about how he plans to move the Hayward Police Department forward through, "listening, strengthening relationships, implementing problem-solving strategies, and providing high levels of customer service.”