Santa Maria police chief Danny Macagni, who came under increased scrutiny in recent months as a result of officer-involved shootings and an outside audit of his department, has retired, city officials announced Aug. 3.
Macagni’s retirement is effective immediately.
“On behalf of the City of Santa Maria, we would like to extend our thanks to Chief Macagni for his years of service to the City, the Police Department, and the Santa Maria community and we wish him the very best in his retirement,” City Manager Rick Haydon said in a press release issued by the city.
Macagni began his career with the Santa Maria Police Department in 1975, serving two years as a reserve police officer before being hired full-time in 1977. City manager Tim Ness appointed Macagni as chief in June 2003, replacing John Sterling.
According to city officials, Commander Craig Ritz will head the department in the interim.
This article appears in Aug 2-9, 2012.