Irvine Police Chief David L. Maggard Jr. began his career in law enforcement with the University of California, Berkeley Police Department. Over the years, the Chief has worked as a police trainer, narcotics officer, community policing officer, crime prevention specialist, and bomb technician apprentice.

After his appointment to Chief of Police in 2003, Chief Maggard was responsible for implementing Irvine’s geographic policing strategy and has supported modernizing its patrol force and policing capabilities.  He is proud to serve with a highly committed team of law enforcement professionals who together have received national awards in the areas of technology and criminal investigations.  In 2009, he accepted the International Association of Chiefs of Police Excellence in Victim Services Award on behalf of the Irvine Police Department.  The Department also received the prestigious United States Department of Defense Freedom Award in 2010 in recognition of the support provided to its military reservists.  The Chief and his team have implemented a number of innovative programs including formation of the Area Traffic Officer program, establishment of a Youth Liaison Officer and Arson Investigator to work with at-risk youth, and implementation of the Business Community Officer program to work with members of Irvine’s business centers and retail community.  A Clergy Police Academy was presented under the Chief’s leadership, recognizing that faith often assists in the coping and healing process, and the Return Home Registry program was implemented which has reunited numerous physically or mentally challenged persons with their loved ones. 

Chief Maggard serves on the Irvine Public Schools Foundation’s Advisory Council and is a member of the Orange County Human Relations Commission.  He received the Ambassador of Peace Award from the Violence Prevention Coalition of Orange County in 2007 and is a recipient of the College of Health and Human Services Alumni of the Year Award from California State University, Long Beach.  In 2007, he served as President of the Orange County Chiefs of Police and Sheriff’s Association and currently serves as California’s representative to the State Associations of Chiefs of Police.  He is the immediate Past President of the California Police Chiefs Association and is a member of the Board of State and Community Corrections.

Chief Maggard received a bachelor of arts in Legal Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.  While attending Berkeley, Chief Maggard earned All-American Honors in Track and Field.  He received a master's of science from California State University, Long Beach and is a doctoral candidate at Pepperdine University.  Additionally, Chief Maggard is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.