Veteran officer tapped as Hayward’s next police chief

HAYWARD — A veteran Hayward police officer is taking over as the city’s next top cop, the city announced Thursday.

Bryan Matthews, the acting police chief since September 2022, succeeds Toney Chaplin, who had been on work-related injury leave and publicized his plans to retire last month. He took charge Wednesday and will oversee a department with 197 sworn police officer positions and 136.5 non-sworn professional staff positions.

In a statement, Matthews said he was “humbled and honored” to serve as the city’s next police chief.

“Hayward holds a very special place in my heart, and I look forward to continuing to move the Hayward Police Department forward through listening, strengthening relationships, implementing problem-solving strategies and providing high levels of customer service,” Matthews said.

Matthews began his law enforcement career in 1999 and has served his hometown of Hayward for 24 consecutive years, the city said in a news release announcing his appointment.

“I am thrilled to be able to promote Bryan Matthews to a leadership position for which he has worked so hard to prepare himself,” Hayward City Manager Kelly McAdoo said in a statement.

“Bryan grew up in Hayward and the surrounding areas and brings a deep sense of personal commitment to this new role of chief after serving the department and city for many years,” McAdoo said.

During his career, Matthews worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, training, gang investigations, SWAT, community policing, internal affairs and emergency preparedness. He also served as the department’s liaison with the community for “policy innovation and alternative response models,” according to the city.

Matthews holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Cal State East Bay and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Columbia Southern University.

In addition, Matthews is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Command College and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s senior executives in state and local government program.

A swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place later this month, according to the city.