Full Notification

The City of San Leandro is saddened to announce the passing of retired Police Chief Robert J.P. Maginnis.  On March 23rd, the city celebrated the naming of the Police Administration Building after Chief Maginnis.  Today, we celebrate Chief Maginnis' life and legacy to the San Leandro community and his meaningful actions in Alameda County, the Bay Area, and nationwide.  His life has passed on, but his memory has permanently cemented in the lives he touched throughout his long tenure with the San Leandro Police Department.
 
In 1967 Chief Maginnis started his career as a reserve officer with the San Leandro Police Department after three years of service in the Army during the Vietnam War.  In 1986 Chief Maginnis graduated from FBI National Academy and became the San Leandro Chief of Police.  In 1988 he was recruited to serve on a blue-ribbon committee to look at the future of DNA and its impact on the law in California and the United States. 
 
Chief Maginnis taught Criminal Justice at San Leandro High School, Chabot College District, and Diablo Valley Community College.  While teaching at San Leandro High, he saw the community's makeup changing and became the first Chief of Police to actively recruit and hire those that closely represent the diversity of San Leandro.
 
Chief Maginnis advocated for "force-multiplying" technologies like computers and software to assist employees in doing their jobs long before it was commonplace.  He was an early adopter of the best practice of "Community Policing."
 
In 1999 Chief Maginnis took a well-deserved retirement as Chief of Police after 32 Years of Service (1967 – 1999).  However, his retirement was short-lived as he was immediately appointed as an Assistant Sheriff for the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. 
 
Chief Maginnis' other notable accomplishments include:
 
• Helped shape the Regional Training Center by expanding the scope of training and partnering with the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District
 
• Was a member of the NAACP and friend of Ms. Freddye Davis, President of the Hayward South Alameda County Chapter
 
• Member of the San Leandro Rotary Club
 
• Active member of the San Leandro Breakfast Club
 
• Served on the Board of Directors of the San Leandro Employee Credit Union
 
• Served on the Chamber of Commerce Board
 
• Volunteered to ensure local school bonds passed
 
• Served as the Executive Director of the Alameda County Chiefs of Police and Sheriff's Association
 
 
"I am grief-stricken by the sudden loss of our sage, leader, and embodiment of professionalism, Retired San Leandro Police Chief Bob Maginnis.  My deepest condolences to his wife, children, family, friends, and colleagues.  Chief Maginnis was loved and respected by all.  Words are insufficient to adequately convey the impact he has had on our Department, City, and County.  I am grateful to have had the opportunity to bask in his grace and wisdom.  I am thankful Chief Maginnis was on hand as we honored him by naming our Police Administration Building the Robert J.P. Maginnis Police Administration Building.  Chief Maginnis' legacy will live in perpetuity," said Chief Abdul Pridgen.
 
Chief Maginnis is survived by his wife, Arleen Maginnis, his daughter Anne Fox, his son John Maginnis, daughter-in-law Jenny Maginnis, and his grandchildren, Joe and Michael Fox; Jackie and Max Maginnis.
 
Mayor Pauline Russo-Cutter has ordered city flags to be flown at half-staff to honor Chief Maginnis.