Updates 

• View the current Community Advisory Board by laws: Purpose, Memberships, and Responsibilities

• August 2, 2023: Message from Chief Sean Washington Regarding the Chief’s Community Advisory Board

• August 14, 2023: Recording of Virtual Information Session on the Chief's Community Advisory Board (CAB)

Background

Although the advisory group has held various titles, the concept of an advisory group consisting of local community members was established almost 30 years ago by former Police Chief Craig Steckler. In 1994, the advisory group was called the Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) and had 20 members. Chief Steckler chose members “from various disciplines and professions to act as a sounding board for department policy development. [Chief Steckler] wanted to have a view of new policies and some of our purchased equipment reviewed by this group to get a sense of perspective from the average citizen.” When Chief Steckler retired in 2012, the advisory group continued to advise succeeding police chiefs providing invaluable guidance and dialogue on complex issues concerning our community.  Although functionally the same, the group’s name was recently changed to the Chief’s Community Advisory Board (CAB). 
 
The recently expanded Community Advisory Board meets monthly and guides the Chief of Police on strategic planning, policy development, and new initiatives. Currently, the CAB consists of two groups: Sustaining Members and District Members. Sustaining Members include members of the original Citizens Advisory Group (CAG), and many of these members assist the Fremont Police Department with Community Perspective and Cultural Diversity Training. Members either work or live in Fremont, where some members have resided in Fremont for over 40 years and have witnessed the growth and development of the City. Members come from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the wonderful diversity of Fremont. The CAB consists of members with different cultural and religious backgrounds; business owners; community leaders, and persons with varying education levels and life experiences.   

Purpose

The purpose of the CAB is to bring together a representative cross-section of community perspectives to serve in an advisory capacity to the Chief of Police by providing input on policy, technology, social issues, crime strategies, community engagement, department direction, and prioritization. The CAB also facilitates two-way communication between the Fremont Police Department (FPD) and the community we serve. 

The CAB does not receive or investigate compliments on or complaints against employees of FPD. The Office of Professional Standards investigates complaints of employee misconduct. Although the CAB may be consulted on policy or its changes, the CAB is not delegated as a policy-making body, nor do they participate in disciplinary actions, legal issues, ongoing criminal investigations, or active critical incidents. 

Membership

• Section 1: Sustaining Members: The Sustaining Members consist of members from the original advisory group who will continue to serve indefinitely if established expectations are met.
• Section 2: District Members: The District Members represent each district in Fremont. When District Members are needed, the Chief of Police will announce openings publicly utilizing social media and other forms of communication. The Chief of Police will request community members representing each district to submit their names for consideration. The Chief of Police, City Manager (or designee), and one CAB Sustaining Member will review the applications and make selections from the list of interested community members. District Members serve a rotational, two-year maximum term. However, they may be nominated and be selected as a Sustaining Member after completion of their term if they have at minimum 20 years of residency or own a business in the City of Fremont. Faith-based leaders not residing or owning a business in the City of Fremont may be considered case-by-case.
• Section 3: Additional Members (Chief’s Selections): The Chief of Police may appoint additional members to CAB (maximum five members) based on an assessed need to obtain an enhanced perspective from our diverse community. Direct appointments to CAB by the Chief of Police will typically serve for one year but may be extended for an additional year with the recommendation of CAB sustaining members and approval by the Chief of Police.     All CAB members serve at the discretion of the Chief of Police, vested with the authority to increase membership as needed, not to exceed 25 members. 
• Section 4: Separation: All CAB members are chosen to serve for their professionalism, integrity, and commitment to the CAB and their community. CAB members may be separated from service for cause. Separation may occur via a majority vote amongst CAB members, with the Chief providing the deciding vote upon an even split or by unanimous decision of the Chief of Police, City Manager (or designee), and one CAB Sustaining Member. All CAB items (IDs, Polo shirt, etc.) provided to the member will be immediately returned upon separation.
• Section 5: Transparency: The names of CAB members will be listed here on the FPD’s website.  The Chief of Police will produce an annual summary of topics discussed at the CAB meetings.  The summary will also be posted here on the department’s website.  

Responsibilities

As mentioned above, CAB Members are chosen to serve for their professionalism, integrity, and commitment to CAB and their community, which includes but is not limited to the following responsibilities: 

• Members are expected to attend and participate in the monthly scheduled meetings.
• Members are expected to engage in an honest and productive dialogue aimed at helping FPD succeed at its mission to provide public safety through professional law enforcement.
• Members are expected to maintain the confidentiality of information that is designated as confidential and discussed and/or disclosed during the meetings.
• Members are expected to attend and complete the Community Police Academy within a year to familiarize themselves with FPD operations.
• Members are expected to treat each other and police staff with dignity and respect. 
• Members are not to utilize meetings or membership to facilitate personal or political agendas.
• Members are encouraged to participate in police and community events such as Honors Night, swearing-in ceremonies, Coffee with the Cops, National Night Out, etc., with decorum.
• Members are sometimes requested to facilitate communication to the public through their community ties or at FPD or community events.
• Members of CAB are encouraged to serve on Ad Hoc committees when requested by the Chief of Police.
• Members of CAB may assist with developing organizational training on specific topics (cultural diversity, community perspectives, history of Fremont) that enhance the department’s perspective and present training to FPD staff.
• Members of CAB are urged to occasionally assist with the promotional process by offering thoughts and perspectives of our community. 
• Members of CAB may assist the department with recruitment and hiring objectives. 

Current Members/Sustaining Members:

• Greg Bonaccorsi

  Greg is a lifelong resident of Fremont.  He is a Middle School Science and Math teacher in the Fremont Unified School District for over 35 years.  Greg's interest is in building a stronger bond between the Police Department with both the Fremont Unified School District and the Ohlone Community College District.

• Sunil Dhar

  Sunil is a long-term resident of Fremont (35 years) and has been actively involved in the community over the years raising a family.  He is currently serving on the Alameda County Library Foundation Advisory Board and am a member of Fremont Fire CERT program. In the past he has volunteered in many capacities at the local schools and at the FUSD.  He brings his Silicon Valley high tech and finance experience as well as his Canadian and Indian multi-cultural heritage to the board.  Fremont is a great multi-cultural city and he serves on the Chief's Advisory Board to help keep it a great place to live.

• C. Lee Hewitt

  Lee has lived in Fremont since 1955. He has practiced law in Fremont since 1982. He has been involved in various community organizations based in Fremont, including being a member on the Board of Directors for SAVE which is Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments for the past twenty years (2001-2021).

• Reshma Inamdar

  Reshma is a long-term resident of Fremont, Ca.  She has been serving on the Chief's community advisory for many years. She also serves on the Board of several community organizations including Abode Services, League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City, and Niles Rotary.  She is a lifelong dessertarian. 

•  Richard Keller
  
  Biography to come soon

• Cecilia Leon
  

  A long-time resident of Fremont. She is currently an active member of various local non-profit organizations, such as Commissioner for the City of Fremont Human Relations Commission (HRC), Board member of Citizens for Better Community (CBC) and Board member and past President of South Bay Chinese Club (SBCC).  She also participates in Community events such as National Night Out and the Disability Resource Festival. Cecilia’s interest is building trust and transparency between the Police department and the diverse citizens of our city. 

• Anna Muh

  30+ year Fremont resident, retired IT professional, Former President of Citizens for Better Community and South Bay Chinese Club, former VP of Fremont Chinese School and first Chinese American School Board member in Fremont Unified School District (1997- 2002). Education and Community service are my passion; community safety is her highest priority and concern. 

• Sandi Pantages

  Sandi is retired from the Fremont libraries of the Alameda County Library where she served as the Manager of the Fremont Libraries. She began working at the Fremont Library in 1969 and moved to Fremont in 1992. She has been involved with a number of community organizations over the years, including Niles Rotary, League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark, Union City, Fremont Education Foundation, Fremont Symphony Orchestra, Music at the Mission., and has been a long-time member of the Chief’s Advisory Group.

• Praveena Raman

  Praveena has lived in Fremont since 1994 and has been a member of the Community Advisory Group (CAG) since its inception in 1998.  She has enjoyed the journey and finds serving on CAG to be very educational and valuable.  Praveena has participated in community events such as National Night Out and has helped in bringing the community’s perspective in decision making when appropriate, developing protocols and processes and helping the Police Department with various issues in this large diverse community.  Currently Praveena is involved in presenting Community Perspectives: History of Fremont to new hires in the department.  Praveena graduated from the 17^th Citizen’s Academy in 2003.

  In the community, Praveena has for many years been an active volunteer at the Fremont Unified School District. She is CERT trained and has worked with the Fremont Fire Department as a CERT coordinator.  She is a licensed HAM operator and an active Toastmaster.

• James (Jim) Reeder, Jr.

  Resident since 1952, 4 years before City of Fremont founded.  Last graduating class of Washington High when there was only one high school in Fremont, Newark & Union City.  Glenmoor Realty, Inc., President.  Property Manager of Apartments and Commercial Centers.  2nd generation of family that created and built Glenmoor Gardens Neighborhood.

• Kenn Waters
  

  Kenn A. Waters, although retired from Ohlone College, continues to work at his own pleasure part-time as a counselor for student athletes. He is also a former Dean of Counseling, counselor, and instructor at Ohlone. He has lived in Fremont for at least thirty-six years and has served as one of the community advisors for Chiefs C. Steckler, R. Lucero, K. Petersen, and now Chief S. Washington.  

• Jeevan Zutshi

  Jeevan earned an M.S degree in Civil Engineering from San Jose State University. He is the founder of 30 years old, award-winning non-profit, Indo-American Community Federation (IACF-USA), promoting Unity in Diversity. He has authored two books and produced an award-winning movie The Last Smile. He owns a Real Estate Brokerage firm in Fremont.

District Members:

• Siddhartha Banerjee

I am a family-oriented individual, a community member, a propulsion engineer, a data scientist, an entrepreneur, and an Indian classical musician, proudly calling Fremont my home since 2015. I have actively participated in community service through various committees within the Fremont Union School District (FUSD) and the Fremont Council PTA. I enjoy an active lifestyle, which includes various outdoor activities.

I am honored to serve as the district advisor to the Chief. My goal is to amplify the community’s voice within the Fremont Police Department (FPD), ensuring that Fremont remains one of the best places to live in this great nation.

•  John Eshelman

Fremont has been my home for 43 years. I serve as the Facilities Manager for Harbor Light Church and Fremont Christian School where my responsibilities include security, maintenance, transportation, groundskeeping, contracts, outside events and more. My 35 years at Harbor Light and 14 years as a member of Niles Rotary have given me so many opportunities to give back to our city.  Some of my hobbies include RV camping, running marathons, and drumming, but my greatest passion is for safety in Fremont and positive community relationships. It is an honor to serve our community on the Chief’s Advisory Board.

• Jamie Lee

  Jamie Lee is a Registered Nurse specializing in post-surgery care and has her CPAN and CCRN certification. She enjoys providing care for her patients and their families. She grew up in Fremont and volunteered at Washington Hospital and Youth Service Corps, as well as attended schools in the Fremont Unified School District. She has served on a medical mission in Conakry, West Africa with Mercy Ships. During her free time, she enjoys planning for the next community event within her neighborhood. Her passion as a CAB member is in optimizing community safety and preventing crime.

• Tayeb Mogri

  My motto to serve the community is Be Prepared, which I learned as a Boy Scout. My wife Durriyah and I have lived in Fremont in Ardenwood since summer of 1990. We raised three girls in Fremont schools. I started my career as an Engineer in Corning Glass New York in glass tubing manufacturing in 1978. Later I joined as Utilities Engineer with California Public Utilities Commission in 1985 and retired in 2020. I have been a Board of Director in our HOA since 2006.

  I was active in our local Dawoodi Bohra Community in various capacities since I moved to Fremont from Los Angeles in 1990. I take this opportunity to now serve in the Fremont Police Department as district Advisor to the chief with great honor and pride. 

• Joseph (Joe) Rose

  Joe is a native Californian, born in Oakland, graduated from San Leandro High in 1960, lived throughout Alameda County, and landed in Fremont in 1971. He retired from a large international bank in 2000 as VP of IT (Information Technology). Joe is active with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). He has served on the Alameda County Mental Health Advisory Board, collaborated with many community-based organizations, and law enforcement regarding mental health issues.

• John Schinkel

  A lifelong Fremont resident who regularly works closely with elected officials, often holding difficult conversations to ensure proper handling and awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ people. 

  John has been building a career in nonprofits that serve individuals experiencing low-income, isolation, poor physical health, and food insecurity. Currently, he holds a community relations role with SOS Meals on Wheels, the largest provider of senior nutrition in Alameda County. 

  A proud member of Rotary International, John is a member of the Rotary Club of Mission San Jose. Additionally, he is a member of Fremont Elks Lodge 2121 and a board member of the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation. 

  John lives in Fremont's historic Niles district with his Husband, Marty. 

CAB Application Process

CAB is currently NOT accepting new applications. 

• Former application materials for referencing purposes
• Questions? Please call the Office of the Chief at 510-790-6811 or contact via email