Foster City police chief to retire

Foster City police chief will retire effective November 2019

FOSTER CITY – Police Chief Joe Pierucci will retire in November after leading the department since 2016.

Pierucci has served as a police officer for 33 years, joining the Foster City Police Department in 2009. His retirement is effective Nov. 13, according to the city.

Foster City police captain Tracy Avelar, a 17-year veteran of the force, will succeed Pierucci in November. The city announced the chief’s retirement Thursday and his replacement Friday.

Pierucci grew up in Foster City, attending local schools and playing Little League baseball, according to his city biography. He started as a patrol officer with the San Mateo Police Department in 1986. He later became a detective and patrol sergeant.

Pierucci joined the Foster City Police Department in February 2009 and earned a promotion to captain three years later. In April 2016, he succeeded retiring chief Matt Martell at the head of the department. Pierucci will be retiring on his birthday.

City manager Jeff Moneda praised Pierucci’s service and leadership. “He has dedicated his service to Foster City, which has resulted in a community where it is a safe place to live, work and play, and consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in the nation,” Moneda said in a statement.

Avelar grew up in Daly City and now lives in Dublin with her husband and their two children, according to the city. She has been a captain in the department for the last four years.