Meet The Milpitas Chief of Police -
Dennis Graham

Chief Dennis Graham

Chief Dennis Graham has served the community of Milpitas in a number of capacities since he was appointed as a Police Officer in June of 1982. From 1982 to 1993 Graham served as an officer in Patrol, as well as additional assignments including Field Training Officer, Detective, Background Investigator and Hostage Negotiator.  Graham was selected as Police Officer of the Year for 1986.

As a Corporal and Sergeant he supervised officers in Patrol, the Special Investigations Unit and the Traffic Unit. As supervisor of the Special Investigations Unit he lead a successful enforcement and abatement effort which closed down several illicit massage parlors from 1995 to 1998.

In July of 2000 he was promoted to Lieutenant and became the Department’s first Traffic Manager. He managed the build up of the Traffic Unit, including the implementation of two new motorcycle officers based on an Office of Traffic Safety grant.

In December of 2000 he was promoted to Commander, and managed the Special Operations Division and Field Services Division. As a Commander he coordinated the Police Department grants and managed the Police Department budget. While a Commander Graham managed the implementation of the police department’s Senior Volunteer Program.

Graham was promoted to Captain in 2004, and headed both Police Department bureaus: the Support Services Bureau, which consists of the Personnel & Training Unit, the Technical Services Division (Communications and Records) and the Special Operations Division (Investigations and Community Relations), and the Police Operations Bureau (Field Services Division: Patrol, Traffic and Crossing Guards). Captain Graham is a graduate of San Jose State University, and earned his Master’s Degree in Administration of Justice in December, 2004. During his tenure as a Captain Graham managed the reorganization of the Community Relations Unit to create two School Resource Officers at Milpitas High School with no increase in personnel.

After a nationwide search, Graham was appointed Chief of Police effective August 20, 2006.