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The Pleasanton Police Department is getting ready to say goodbye to one of its longest-tenured members, Capt. Jeff Bretzing, who is retiring from the department on Friday.
Bretzing has served in law enforcement for three decades, including the past 26 years in Pleasanton, where he climbed the ranks during a decorated career to ultimately become the department’s second-in-command.
“It was truly a privilege to work with so many wonderful people and to serve such an amazing supportive community,” said Bretzing, who turned 50 last Friday.
“When I look back at my time at the Pleasanton Police Department, I will always fondly remember those who I had the opportunity to influence and mentor,” Bretzing added.
“There is a strong culture of succession planning and focus on the future here at PPD; there is no greater compliment than to see someone you mentored, mentoring someone else,” he said. “I know I am leaving this agency and this community in great hands.”
Police Chief Dave Spiller said Bretzing will be missed, but the whole department is happy the captain has reached a well-deserved retirement.
“Everyone in the police department family will miss Jeff’s sense of humor, quick wit and experience,” Spiller said. “Above all, I will personally miss the steadfast loyalty Jeff has demonstrated and the trustworthy, honest perspective he has always shared.”
“In a tough and challenging environment, Jeff has made everything easier. He brought calm to chaos, he brought positivity to dark situations and he made long days a little shorter,” Spiller added.
Bay Area native Bretzing, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Saint Mary’s College, began his law enforcement career in December 1988 as a Hayward Police Department officer. He worked there for a little over three years before being hired in Pleasanton in March 1992.
As an officer with PPD, Bretzing served in a variety of assignments including patrol, motorcycle officer, field training officer and detective. He also served as a motorcycle riding instructor and crisis negotiator.
In 2002, Bretzing was promoted to sergeant and served as a field supervisor, team leader for crisis negotiation and manager of the code enforcement division at various times as sergeant.
He was ascended to the rank of lieutenant in 2008, serving as watch commander, terrorism liaison officer and investigations division manager as well as overseeing the department’s peer support program.
Two years ago, Bretzing graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., and was later promoted to the rank of captain, where he served as the operations division manager and as Spiller’s second-in-command.
Bretzing said he and his family expect to remain in the Bay Area once he steps down from PPD. He plans to work in the private sector and also wants to become an instructor at a police academy or community college.
As for filling Bretzing’s position in Pleasanton, Spiller said city human resources officials are conducting an executive search with a contracted recruitment firm. The hiring search is expected to draw internal candidates as well as candidates from across the state and nation.
We will miss Jeff. He is a true professional and has a great sense of humor and a big smile. Enjoy your retirement, Jeff.
We will miss Jeff with his great smile and sense of humor. He is a professional and we will miss him
Captain Bretzing is one of the truly good guys in the police department. It was a pleasure working graveyard shifts with you so many years ago. We had some good times and shared a lot of years at PPD. God Speed Capt. Bretzing, enjoy retirement.
Oh, and I still beat you in that foot chase, and I still can beat you.
Best retirement wishes to a really great guy. In my years in Pleasanton I can say that although we were not always on the same side of an issue, you were always respectful and you were usually right. Paul and I hope to see you and Nicole again soon on the farm. A Hui Hou from one straight shooter to another.