Morgan Hill Police Chief David Swing was sworn in March 21 as President of the California Police Chiefs Association, which represents the state’s municipal police chiefs whose agencies serve more than 26 million Californians.
Swing, whose law enforcement career spans the last 23 years—all at MHPD—has been involved in the CPCA in various roles over the last seven years.
“One of the benefits (of this involvement) is the opportunity to network and build relationships in law enforcement throughout the state,” Swing said. “As president, I will further expand and strengthen those relationships.”
Swing was sworn in for a one-year term as president at the association’s 41st annual Training Symposium, at the Westin Hotel in Long Beach.
Swing has been chief of police in Morgan Hill since 2011. His law enforcement career began as a reserve officer at MHPD in 1995.
He was appointed to the CPCA’s board of directors in 2013, and was elected second vice president of the board in 2016, according to a press release from MHPD. Swing has also chaired the association’s Law and Legislation, and Political Action Committees for three years.
Plus, he has served on the California League of Cities Board of Directors, representing CPCA for two years.
“I am honored to lead the California Police Chiefs Association this year. We have much to be proud of as an association and profession, and much to accomplish in the coming year,” Swing said. “We will continue to collaboratively address issues facing our profession, including strengthening community trust, rising crime rates, the growing impacts of homelessness and the mentally ill, and the unprecedented reforms that have impacted the criminal justice system. All of these issues have significant impacts in the manner we serve our communities.”
As Morgan Hill’s police chief, Swing has noted his belief that community engagement is a key ingredient to safe communities. He has led efforts with the City of Morgan Hill to increase community involvement, including an “outcome-based” plan for public safety focused on building community trust, according to the press release.
He hopes that as leader of the CPCA, he will be able to influence his colleagues and the association to “engage the silent majority, to find their voice.” Swing was referring to the majority of residents in Morgan Hill and similar communities throughout out California who support their local police department and law enforcement in general.
“I think it’s important for peace officers to hear the support from their communities,” Swing said. “If I look back 12 months from now, if we have found meaningful ways to help people find their voice and demonstrate their support, then this will be one of the most successful years of my career.”
Earlier in his career, Swing found his calling in the work of domestic violence, according to the MHPD press release. He has led initiatives that strengthened MHPD’s response to domestic violence, including a federal grant that improved advocacy for victims and resulted in the opening of a Family Justice Center in Morgan Hill.
Swing holds a Bachelor’s degree in public relations, and a Master’s in public administration from San Jose State University. He is a graduate of the California POST Command College, an executive leadership development program.
For more information about the CPCA, visit the association’s website at californiapolicechiefs.org.
