Canfield to serve as Mountain View’s 12th police chief 

Mountain View, Calif. — City Manager Kimbra McCarthy announced the appointment of Mike Canfield as Mountain View’s new Chief of Police. Canfield currently serves as a Police Captain with the Mountain View Police Department and has nearly 25 years of law enforcement experience. He succeeds Chief Chris Hsiung who retired in December 2022. Canfield will begin his new position on Monday, June 26.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Canfield as our next Police Chief,” said McCarthy. “Mike’s passion for public service and decades of experience as a leader within the Mountain View Police Department will be invaluable for enhancing the strong relationships and trust we have built with the community. Mike’s continued leadership as our next police chief will provide stability within the department while supporting the exemplary services delivered by our police personnel.”  

McCarthy added, “Canfield is deeply rooted in the Mountain View community, having been raised here, graduating from Mountain View High School, and serving with the Mountain View Police Department since January 1999. Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated a commitment to collaboration, embodying the highest standards of public service, and taking immense pride in earning the trust of the community. We are fortunate to have the best law enforcement professional within our own ranks to fill this important position. 

“I am honored to serve as the next police chief of Mountain View,” said Canfield. “I am deeply aware of how special Mountain View is and the vital role our police department plays in protecting and serving our community. I will continue to work hard alongside the talented men and women of the Mountain View Police Department and serve with honor and distinction.”

“As your police chief, I am committed to leading the department with purpose and transparency, and building upon the strong relationships with our community members and partners,” noted Canfield. “I extend my sincere gratitude to retired Chiefs Scott Vermeer, Chris Hsiung and Max Bosel for their exceptional leadership and stewardship of our department. I also would like to thank the past and present members of the Public Safety Advisory Board for their diligent work in informing the City Council and the Police Chief on important policing matters, and I look forward to working with them further.”

Canfield rose through the ranks with operational, supervisory and command experience in patrol, investigations and support services. He was promoted to Police Lieutenant in March 2014, serving as a watch commander and overseeing the department’s Personnel and Training functions, Crisis Negotiations and SWAT team, helping to lead successful efforts in critical incident response and de-escalation while prioritizing community safety. He was promoted to Police Captain in December 2020 and was assigned as the department’s representative supporting the City’s Public Safety Advisory Board.

Canfield is the recipient of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hero Award, the Police Department’s Distinguished Service Medal, and proudly shares the Meritorious Unit Citation. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Columbia Southern University, is a graduate of Leadership Mountain View, and is currently completing the Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Leaders in Local Government program. He is a member of the California Police Chiefs Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Police Executive Research Forum. 

Incoming Chief Canfield will fill the vacancy created when Chief Hsiung retired. Former Mountain View Police Chief Max Bosel temporarily returned as interim chief until the vacancy was filled. Canfield’s annual starting salary is $334,000.

Photo of Mike Canfield

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Editor’s Note: Availability for media interviews via Zoom or phone for incoming Police Chief Mike Canfield is from 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, June 7. Contact Police PIO Katie Nelson at 650-861-8556 or policepio@mountainview.gov to schedule a time. 

About the City of Mountain View

Located between the Santa Cruz Mountains and San Francisco Bay, Mountain View is a diverse community with an estimated population of 83,601. Mountain View covers just over 12 square miles, featuring over 1,000 acres of park and wildlife areas including the 750-acre wildlife and recreation area called Shoreline at Mountain View. In the heart of Silicon Valley, Mountain View is home to a vibrant downtown and headquarters to many nationally and internationally known corporations including Google, LinkedIn, Intuit and NASA’s Ames Research Center. For more information, visit MountainView.gov. 

About the Mountain View Police Department

The Mountain View Police Department proudly strives to model the City of Mountain View’s values for providing exceptional service, acting with integrity, and treating others with respect. The department consists of 96 full-time police officer positions working alongside 47 professional staff to provide public safety services to the residents of Mountain View. More information on the department can be found at MVPD.gov.

Media Contacts 
Lenka Wright, Chief Communications Officer, 650-903-6615 or Lenka.Wright@mountainview.gov 
Katie Nelson, Police Public Information Officer, 650-861-8556 or policepio@mountainview.gov