BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Chief Thomas A. Zoll

Thomas A. Zoll joined Carlsbad Police Department as its seventh Chief of Police on October 21, 2003. Zoll was selected after a nationwide search with over 65 candidates vying for the position.

Zoll started his law enforcement career in 1972 as a recruit at the San Diego Sheriff's Department academy. During the years that followed he worked patrol, communications, area investigations, traffic, special investigations, detentions, and internal affairs, in various ranks.

Appointed an Assistant Sheriff in 1996, Zoll most recently served as the Commander for the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Services Bureau, serving a population of 800,000, including the county's unincorporated area and nine cities in the county. He was responsible for 1,400 people and a budget of $125 million, covering all Sheriff's offices and substations, as well as specialized functions such as ASTREA, the Bomb/Arson Unit, SWAT, homicide and support operations. In addition, Zoll was a founding member of the 800 MHz Regional Communication System and served as chair of their board of directors.

Zoll, a San Diego native, holds a bachelor's degree in public administration and a master's degree in organizational management. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police, and LEAD San Diego. Zoll, a sports and car enthusiast, is married to wife Patti and has two grown children.