Concord names new Chief of Police, Mark Bustillos

Concord City Manager Valerie Barone announced on Tuesday that Mark Bustillos has been hired as the city’s next Chief of Police. Bustillos, who will be sworn in on Monday, April 6, will replace retiring Chief Guy Swanger.

Bustillos comes to Concord from the San Jose Police Department, where he has served for 27 years, most recently as Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Administration. “Mark is a proactive and creative problem solver with extensive community policing experience and strong leadership skills,” said Barone. “I am confident that his positive, inclusive management style will serve the department and our Concord community well.”

During his tenure with the San Jose Police Department, Bustillos had responsibilities in all aspects of running a department, including patrol, investigations and administration. In his recent role as Deputy Chief, he managed a team of 420 employees, sworn and civilian. Concord’s Police Department has 154 sworn personnel and 57 civilian staff.

“Right now, the men and women of the Concord Police Department are doing an outstanding job while working in very difficult circumstances, and I intend to step in and continue the leadership that Chief Swanger has shown,” Bustillos said. “I am looking forward to getting to know the community and working with the men and women of the Department in building community relationships. We will get through the COVID-19 health crisis and continue our mission to keep the community safe while delivering a high level of customer service.”

Bustillos holds a B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University, a master’s degree in Public Policy from Claremont Graduate School, and he is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police through the Police Executive Research Forum. He joined the SJPD in 1992 where he worked a variety of assignments that included Patrol, Narcotics Enforcement, Mobile Emergency and Response (SWAT) and the Field Training Unit.

In 2002, Mark was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, serving in patrol, and later in the Office of the Chief-Internal Affairs and the Special Investigations Unit. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2008 as was assigned to positions as the watch commander in the Southern, Western and Central Divisions. In 2011, Mark was promoted to the rank of Captain and served as the Division Commander in the Foothill and Western Divisions prior to being assigned to oversee the Bureau of Investigations.

He was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2016 and assigned to the Bureau of Administration where he oversaw the hiring of 300 recruits as well as the Police Academy, Records and Communications division.

The community is invited to watch the swearing in ceremony April 6 at 8 a.m. on Facebook Live, through Concord TV or via the City’s website. 

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