The San Leandro (Calif.) PD has named its first-ever female chief, hiring Chief Sandra Spagnoli of neighboring Benicia, the department has announced.

"Chief Spagnoli has an extensive record of accomplishments in law enforcement, including community policing, technology, organizational development, and service sharing and consolidation," according to a statement from City Manager Steve Hollister.

The new chief takes over a department with 87 sworn officers on Jan. 10. She replaces outgoing Chief Ian Willis.

Spagnoli worked for four years with the Benecia PD and prior to that was an officer with the San Carlos PD.

Spagnoli began her law enforcement career with San Carlos PD in 1983 as a police explorer and in 1990 was promoted to police officer. She worked as a detective, field training officer, acting supervisor, POA president and Drug Abuse Resistance Education instructor.

She promoted to sergeant in 1996, and supervised patrol officers, implemented community policing programs, developed streamline hiring process and established a recruiting team. In 1998, she was promoted to commander and supervised patrol, investigations, and administrative operations.

During her tenure with the San Carlos PD, Spagnoli received the Public Technology Institute Achievement Award for her efforts in advancing technology within the agency.