Merced names Modesto lieutenant as city's next police chief

Steven Stanfield has nearly 30 years of experience in law enforcement

New Merced Police Chief Steven Stanfield (courtesy Modesto Police)

By BRIANNA VACCARI

Central Valley Journalism Collaborative

Story updated on Oct. 11, 2023

MERCED (CVJC) – A veteran of the Modesto police force will become the new police chief in Merced, an appointment that city leaders say will bring stability to a department that has seen repeated turnover.

Steven Stanfield will take over the Merced Police Department in November, becoming the city’s fifth police chief in five years. Merced City Manager Stephanie Dietz announced his hiring on Tuesday.

Merced Mayor Matt Serratto said Stanfield’s arrival will help stabilize the force and allow it to overcome recent challenges.

“Staffing is certainly a big issue. Recruitment and retention are big issues,” Serratto told the CVJC by phone on Wednesday. “Leadership in their department has a big role to play in that, and obviously the (city) council has a big role to play in that as well.”

Merced Police Department in recent years has faced staffing challenges among its rank and file and quick turnover in its top position. Thomas Cavallero, who retired last December, was the most recent, permanent chief. Since then, an acting chief and then interim chief led the force of 98 officers. 

In a January Facebook post, then-acting Chief Joe Weiss announced that staffing limitations had led the department to disband its Disruptive Area Response Team, dedicated to quality-of-life issues. Interim Chief Craig Gundlach temporarily staffed DART with school resource officers over the summer, and currently one officer works the DART assignment.

Stanfield, currently a Modesto police lieutenant, has 27 years of experience in law enforcement.

In Modesto, he developed and managed special teams dedicated to addressing issues such as homelessness and health. He currently oversees Modesto PD’s patrol schedule, tracking use of force and pursuits and manages the department’s real-time crime center.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to be appointed as the Chief of Police for the city of Merced, Stanfield said in a statement. “I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community members, and I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated officers and the entire Merced community.

Stanfield will earn an annual salary of $200,000, a figure the Merced City Council in August voted to raise from $186,000 per the recommendation of the firm hired to seek candidates for the position. 

The search firm, Bob Murray & Associates, also conducted the city’s search for a new city manager to succeed Dietz, who announced earlier this year her intention to leave the role. The Merced City Council last month approved the hiring of Scott McBride as new city manager. McBride will begin the new role next month upon Dietz’s departure. Dietz has not publicly disclosed where she plans to work next.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chief Stanfield as our new Chief of Police,” Dietz said. “He embodies the values of our department and our community, and we are confident that he will uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and community engagement.” 

Brianna Vaccari is the governmental accountability/watchdog reporter for the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, a nonprofit newsroom based in Merced.