San Jose police chief to retire, take new job as DA investigations chief

SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata on Tuesday announced he plans to retire in March after 28 years of service with the department.

But he only plans to take one month off.

In April, Mata said he will take a new role as the Investigations Bureau Chief for the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. DA Jeff Rosen said  is the first time in county history that San Jose’s police chief has taken the helm of the DA’s investigative unit of sworn officers. The 90-plus member team investigates everything from insurance fraud to cold-case murders.

"This decision was not easy, but after careful consideration, I believe it is the right time for me to embark on a new role," Mata said in a statement. "I am incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement I have received throughout my career. 

In a statement, Rosen said that he was thrilled that Mata would bring a deep local experience and leadership skills to the team.

"Chief Mata and I both share a vision of a criminal justice system that is safe and fair for all," Rosen said. 

Last year, the San Jose Police Department was honored for having 100% clearance rate, and Mata has been credited with showing no tolerance for criminal or racist behavior in his department. He was the one to first make public that one of his former officers, Mark McNamara, had sent racist texts. And he provided video of himself literally walking former Officer Matthew Dominguez out the door, after he was arrested on suspicion of masturbating at a victim's home.

Calling his accomplishments "vast," San José City Manager Jennifer Maguire said he implemented the department’s first strategic plan, which focuses increased diversity and accountability through police reform initiatives.

The police department, under Mata, has had its share of troubles as well.

Last fall, SJPD paid $3 million to settle excessive force suits stemming from how officers treated protesters at George Floyd rallies in 2020. San Jose police fired rubber bullets into a crowd of protesters, injuring multiple people and causing one man to lose one of his eyes. 

And last summer, an independent audit of the San Jose Police Department showed complaints against officers have continued to rise over the last three years. 

The San Jose Silicon Valley NAACP President says he hopes to continue a relationship with Mata.  

"Overall, Tony was the type of leader who was quiet and strong but determined. He was determined, I do believe, to bring change and hold the police in San Jose Police Dept. accountable," said Rev. Jethroe Moore II, San Jose NAACP President. 

Rev. Moore says he’d like the next Chief to be responsive to the community, like Mata. Now that Chief Mata is moving on, he says he has concerns about inclusiveness and maintaining a good relationship with the Dept.  

"I wish he would’ve done more to bring people of color into the command structure of the San Jose Police Dept. I do not believe there is anybody there now that we have a strong relationship with, now that he’s gone," said Moore II.     

Mata started his career with SJPD in 1996, working his way up the ranks to become chief in 2021.

Mata received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Illinois, Chicago and his Master of Arts in Public Administration from San José State.

San Jose said it hopes to announce an interim chief and begin the recruitment process before Mata retires.