Matt Davis appointed new Davis Police Chief
Davis will assume the new role Nov. 9
By GIA LOOMIS— city@theaggie.org
On Oct. 26, City Manager Daryel Dunston announced that Matt Davis has been chosen to serve as the new Davis police chief. The position was most recently held by Matthew Petersen, who served as interim police chief since September 2026, when former Police Chief Todd Henry resigned to accept a position with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. Davis will officially take over as police chief as of Nov. 9.
Davis, a longtime Davis resident and graduate of Davis Senior High School, brings deep community ties to the position. Following high school, Davis went on to receive a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from California State University, Sacramento in 2002. Shortly after graduating, Davis began his first law enforcement position with the Sacramento Police Department in 2003. Dunston explained the significance of Davis’ ties to the local community in a news release.
“The City of Davis requires a Police Chief that is rooted in this community who understands our city’s needs, and Matt is undoubtedly that individual,” Dunston said. “Calling Davis home for over four decades, Matt understands our residents, our rich history, and our public safety expectations – namely, because he is a Davisite through and through. We could have interviewed a thousand candidates and been hard pressed to find someone with his unique blend of executive experience, public safety acumen, and deep connection to our community.”
After starting with the Sacramento Police Department, Davis transferred to the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office in 2004, serving as a deputy sheriff. Now, Davis has over 22 years of experience with the office, having worked in various roles including sergeant, lieutenant and captain. In October 2022, Davis was promoted to undersheriff-coroner (second-in-command to sheriff-coroner) where he has remained until now.
As undersheriff-coroner, Davis served as the office’s second-in-command. In this position, Davis looked over daily operations, fiscal priorities and strategic initiatives, as well as mentoring staff, overseeing training exercises and more.
During his time with the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, Davis received multiple awards, including a management certificate in 2021 from the California Peace Officer Standards and Training program, as well as the Yolo County Sheriff Department’s Supervisor of the Year award in 2015.
In a news release, Davis explained his excitement about serving his home community as police chief.
“Working at the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office for more than 22 years has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am deeply grateful for the people I have had the privilege to serve alongside throughout my career,” Davis said. “At the same time, the opportunity to lead the Police Department in the community where I grew up and have called home for most of my life is incredibly meaningful to me.”
Davis continued by explaining what he looks forward to with beginning his new role.
“I look forward to bringing what I have learned over the past two decades to this new role and continuing to serve the people of Davis.”
Davis assumed his new position on Monday, Nov. 9. To learn more visit the Davis Police Department website.
Written By: Gia Loomis — city@theaggie.org