Meet San Leandro's Police Chief

Abdul Pridgen is the Past President of the California Police Chiefs Association and represents them on the Board. He was appointed Chief of the San Leandro Police Department in 2021 after serving as Police Chief in Seaside for three and a half years. His career began with the Fort Worth Police Department, where he promoted through the ranks to become their first Black Assistant Chief. He is known for his effectiveness at employing evidence to drive organizational change and his principled approach, promoting ethical policing and fostering a culture of answerability.

Abdul is renowned for his authentic leadership and unwavering commitment to community engagement and trust-building. He is passionate about volunteering to improve community outcomes at the national, state, and local level. He is a Senior Advisor for Measures for Justice, a member of the Executive Committee for Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Monterey County, and President of the Institute for Transparent and Accountable Policing.

Chief Pridgen holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute, FBI National Academy, FBI National Executive Institute, and Harvard Kennedy School, Senior Executives in State and Local Government—he went on to receive an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard.