David Sears

Investigative Services

David Sears has a unique investigator skill set as a retired police professional as well as an attorney. His diverse background as a police executive spans over a 25-year career.

David worked for the City of Benicia for 12 years and the City of Petaluma for 13 years, where he retired as a Police Captain. His experience included assignments in operation and administration divisions, which ranged from patrol, investigations, special crimes, task force, communications, records, budget, training, and risk management. David has conducted numerous employment investigations that ranged from workplace harassment to criminal conduct, which at times has required him to represent cities in court proceedings, for police agencies, other city departments and private companies.

David was instrumental in organizational change that included policy updates and implementation, as well as organizational change for efficient and modern community-oriented policing. He was a driving force in writing ordinances for local municipalities that focused on quality-of-life issues as well as establishing administrative hearing processes to be utilized by several city departments. David engaged in employment negotiations with labor groups where he has experience representing both employee groups and employers.

David has an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Solano Community College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from California State University at Hayward, a Master Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Policy from California State University at Hayward, a Master Degree in Legal Studies from Empire College, and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Empire College. While in law school David was awarded the “Witkin Award” for top student in course work for Moral Character – Ethics. Additionally, David is a member of the California State Bar as well as admitted to practice law in Federal Court, Eastern District of California. David has several professional certificates from the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

In his law enforcement career, David was a member of California Peace Officers’ Association (CPOA) where he was a leader on the Executive Committee and the Law and Legislative Committee. His duties were to provide input and recommendations for legislation that effected the law enforcement profession. David is still a member of the Sonoma Land Trust which is a non-profit that works with several cities and delivers work force housing with a focus on municipal employees, teachers, nurses, and other essential community employees. This allows cities to find affordable housing for employees to live and work in the communities they serve.