GREENFIELD — Gregory Allen, a commander and acting chief with the Greenfield Police Department from 2015 to 2017, will rejoin the department as chief of police in September, the city announced Monday.
Upon his return to Greenfield, Allen will lead a department of 22 sworn officers and seven civilian employees.
According to City Manager Paul Wood, Allen was selected for his vast law enforcement knowledge, proven leadership ability and operational experience.
“We are very pleased and proud that Chief Allen has agreed to come (back) to Greenfield,” Wood said. “The combination of his experience, demeanor, leadership, local knowledge and relationships make him a uniquely qualified individual to serve our community.”
Allen’s career spans more than 40 years in law enforcement, during which he progressed through the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), rising from police officer to detective, sergeant, lieutenant and finally captain. Among many other duties as captain, he was LAPD’s academy director, overseeing all police academy recruit training as well as citywide in-service police training.
From 2017 to 2018, Allen served as police chief and homeless coordinator in Morro Bay, and is currently the interim police chief in Willits, where he has worked to professionalize the police department and improve officer training.
Allen received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Union Institute University of Los Angeles and a business management certificate from University of Southern California, School of Public Administration. He earned basic, supervisory, management and executive California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certificates and completed the LAPD Leadership Program at Command College, Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to return to Greenfield as your police chief,” Allen said. “I look forward to once again working with and leading the dedicated men and women of the Greenfield Police Department as we protect and serve our community.”
Allen added that he looks forward to renewing old community partnerships and forming new ones, working together to build strong police-community relations.
