PITTSBURG, CA - January 9, 2026
Chief Steve Albanese has announced his retirement as Chief of Police for the City of Pittsburg. His retirement marks the conclusion of a distinguished 29-year career in law enforcement, including the last three and a half years as the City’s 10th Chief of Police. A graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, Chief Albanese has completed extensive executive-level training in leadership, organizational management, and contemporary policing strategies. His tenure as Chief was defined by a commitment to accountability, professionalism, and strengthening relationships with the community and regional partners.
Throughout his career, Chief Albanese advanced through the ranks of the Pittsburg Police Department, serving in a broad range of leadership assignments and contributing to nearly every operational area of municipal policing. His professionalism, commitment to service, and deep institutional knowledge have been central to the department’s ongoing development, measurable crime reduction efforts, and long-term organizational stability.
“Serving as Police Chief has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Chief Albanese. “When I became Chief of Police, I committed to this community to continue to be responsive, to develop partnerships to reduce crime, and to provide fair and professional policing to all. I am extremely proud of the work of our officers and the entire police department. We have made excellent strides in providing professional police services, increasing our outreach and community engagement, and reducing crime to a five-year low. I want to thank the men and women of the Pittsburg Police Department for their hard work and commitment to make Pittsburg a community to be proud of.”
“Chief Albanese’s leadership has had a lasting and positive impact on our Police Department and the City of Pittsburg,” said City Manager Darin Gale. “His dedication to community partnerships, modern policing practices, and staff development has positioned the department for long-term success. I look forward to working with Chief Albanese over the next few months and appreciate his continued support as we prepare for this transition.”
The City will begin the process of selecting the next Chief of Police in the coming months. Chief Albanese will continue to work closely with City leadership to support a smooth transition and assist in planning for the department’s future leadership.
