After a highly competitive selection and recruitment process, the City of Nevada City announces the appointment of its new Police Chief, Daniel Foss. Chief Foss replaces Interim Police Chief Ted Stec who has served Nevada City since May 1, 2021, upon the retirement of the previous Nevada City Police Chief.
Foss joins Nevada City after a 20-year career in law enforcement with the City of Madera Police Department where he most recently served as a Lieutenant. During his career Foss has served as a Field Training Officer (FTO), Detective, Patrol Sergeant, K9 Supervisor, Internal Affairs Investigator, and Crisis Negotiator. He has also served as the division commander over the divisions of patrol, administration, and investigations.
In 2020 Foss was selected to run the Madera Public Works Department serving as both a Police Lieutenant and the Interim Director of Public Works. In this capacity he oversaw the Madera Airport, Streets and Storm Drains, Facilities, Water and Sewer, and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Prior to joining the law enforcement community Foss served one tour in the United States Army assigned to a calvary unit.
In 2015 Foss established his own non-profit organization known as Olive Charitable Organization, which provides safety and security to victims of human trafficking. Foss worked through the hurdles to open a much-needed safe house in Madera through his non-profit. It is the only safe house in the county that focuses on victims of sex trafficking. In December of 2021, he was presented with “Non-Profit of the Year” from California State Senator Anna Caballero.
Foss has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 22 years, and they have one 16 year-old daughter, Vivian, two small dogs, and one cat (all spoiled beyond belief). Dan and Lisa each grew up in small towns in the central valley. In their spare time, the Foss family loves to travel in their RV; whether it’s through the golden groves of the Salinas Valley to the windy coast, through the fantastical pacific northwest, or to the woods of Northern California. Foss has already moved into Nevada City.
When given the news of his appointment from City Manager Sean Grayson, Foss said, “I am honored and thrilled to be able to serve those who live, work, play and thrive in Nevada City as their Police Chief. I look forward to getting to know the community and the dedicated women and men of the Nevada City Police Department; working together we will enhance our relationship with the community through the Community Oriented Policing Model and continue to provide exceptional services.”
Chief Foss will be introduced at the July 14, 2022, City Council meeting and will officially begin work on Monday July 18, 2022. The Nevada City Policing Committee will convene in the coming weeks to introduce Chief Foss to the community and conduct a listening session on the topic of the Future of Policing in Nevada City.