Bureau of Field Operations
Deputy Chief of Police:
Donald Anders
Phone: (408) 277-4715
Deputy Chief of Police Donald K. Anders has lived in Santa Clara County the majority of his life. He started his career in 1978 when he worked as a deputy sheriff for the Monterey County Sheriff's Department for four years. While there, he was assigned to the patrol division. His specialized assignments included the Special Unit (riot control), the Special Action for Emergencies (SWAT) team, and as a training officer in the patrol Field Training Program. Deputy Chief Anders laterally transferred to the San Jose Police Department in 1982. As an officer, he worked in the patrol division. His specialized assignments included Field Training Officer, and investigator in the Narcotics Unit, Sexual Assaults Investigations Unit, and the Warrants Unit.
Don promoted to Sergeant in 1987 and was initially assigned to the patrol division. He was later selected by then-Chief Joseph McNamara to implement a new grant funded program assigned to the Special Operations Division titled the Narcotics Enforcement Team (N.E.T.). He promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in September 1990. As a Lieutenant, his command positions included two tours in the patrol division, commander of the Assaults Unit, Robbery Unit, Narcotics Unit, Internal Affairs Unit, and in the Communications Division.
He promoted to Captain in 1998 and was first assigned to the Bureau of Investigations, and later as the B.O.I. acting Deputy Chief. Captain Anders was later assigned to the Bureau of Administration, the Southern Division in Field Operations, and as Commander of the Special Operations Division. Don was promoted to Deputy Chief of Police in 2005. He was the Deputy Chief for the Bureau of Technical Services for 3 years, and is presently assigned as the Deputy Chief for the Bureau of Field Operations.
Deputy Chief Anders has a Master of Arts degree in Education from San Diego State University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management with honors from St. Mary's College, and an Associate of Arts degree from West Valley College. He is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico. VA., the California Command College sponsored by P.O.S.T., and the Community Leadership-San Jose program sponsored by the S.J. Chamber of Commerce. Don recently graduated from the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), which is held at Boston University and sponsored by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). He is a P.O.S.T. certified police academy instructor.
Deputy Chief Anders has been the recipient of the SJPD Hazardous Duty Award, the National Exchange Club Blue and Gold Wounded-in-Service Award, and the S.J. City Manager's Mission Award. He is on the Advisory Board for Criminal Justice Studies at San Jose State University. Don is also on the Advisory Board for the International Law Enforcement Auditors Association (I.L.E.A.A.), and is a member of P.E.R.F.
During his time away from work, he enjoys being a father, reading and music, outdoor activities, teaching, fitness pursuits, civic activities, and public speaking.
Field Operations Division - Patrol Division
The San Jose Police Department refers to its Patrol Division as “The Bureau of Field Operations” (BFO). BFO is the primary provider of police services for the residents of San Jose. BFO deploys over 980 officers to 178 square miles of the City on a 24-hour basis. BFO personnel are prepared to respond to both emergency and non-emergency calls for service in each of the City's sixteen patrol districts, which are further broken down into police “beats.” The sixteen patrol districts comprise four divisions, each containing four districts. Each division is commanded by a Police Captain.
BFO provides continuous availability of field units to respond to calls for service, provides visible patrol throughout the City, detects and apprehends persons actively involved in criminal activity, recovers and returns lost and stolen property, provides for the safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, performs the initial investigation of criminal offenses, and attempts to reduce both immediate and potentially hazardous situations to the community.
BFO staffs three Community Policing Centers, placed in strategic areas of the City, in order to provide additional services to outlying neighborhoods.
San Jose Police Department - Divisions and Districts 
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