Meet Escondido’s Chief of Police - Jim Maher

...Jim Mayer, a native of Syracuse, New York, enlisted in the Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton as a military police officer after an overseas tour in Japan. Then, after graduating from the San Diego Police Academy as the “honor graduate,” Jim started his career with the Escondido Police Department on June 30, 1980. Prior to becoming Escondido’s Chief of Police, Jim served as a patrol officer, a Field Training Officer, and a detective. He was promoted to the rank of detective in 1987 and worked as the fraud and forgery investigator for the department. Jim was promoted in 1988 to the rank of sergeant and worked as a supervisor in Patrol and the Investigations Division. As a sergeant, Jim founded and directed the Escondido P.A.L. (Police Athletic League) from 1991 to 2000. Jim served as the Escondido Police Officer’s Association President in 1988. In the same year, Jim graduated from National University with a B.A. Degree in Business, having previously attained his AA Degree from Palomar College. In 1990 he received a M.A. Degree in Management from National University. In 1996, Jim was promoted to the rank of police lieutenant and transferred to the Patrol Division as a Watch Commander. Jim was assigned as the Investigations Division Commander in 2000 where he served as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Department. Jim served as the press spokesperson for the Police Department from 2000-2004. Jim is a member of various community organizations, such as the Escondido Kiwanis Club, the Community Awareness for Escondido (C.A.F.E.) and the Latino Police Officer’s Association, S.D. North County Chapter.

Jim was promoted to Police Captain in January 2005, and oversaw the Services Bureau. On July 12, 2006, Jim was sworn in as the Escondido Police Department’s eleventh Chief of Police.

Jim and his wife, Eva, have one daughter and two sons, and two grandchildren.