CAPITOLA — With a career spanning nearly two decades with the Capitola Police Department, Capt. Sarah Ryan will take on the role of Santa Cruz County’s first female chief next month.
Ryan, the 48-year-old San Lorenzo Valley High School alumna who began her career with the department in 2005, said she has often been among the highest-ranking female law enforcement officers locally. The leadership positions, she said, have always been about moving together with her male and female coworkers. What has kept Ryan in Capitola over the years has been her heart — for the community, for the work she has put into the job and for her own family.
“But I think that we would be remiss, especially for all the women that came before me, who, I wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t pushed through some of the challenges that present itself in law enforcement,” Ryan told the Sentinel Friday. “I have so much gratitude toward them and that I have been able to work with them throughout my career.”
Ryan said she has never felt as though she were “checking a box” as a woman, where others felt compelled to promote her. The reason, she said, was because she had seen failure and gotten back up to try again.
Capitola Mayor Kristen Brown praised Ryan’s “exceptional track record of service, leadership, and commitment to our community’s safety.”
“I am confident that under her leadership we will continue to enhance public trust and transparency, ensuring Capitola remains a safe and welcoming place for all,” Brown was quoted in a city release.
When seeking a job with the Capitola Police Department, Ryan said she was aware of and energized by the challenge of joining a largely male-dominated field, a feeling that has not faded as she steps into her new top position.
“This new chapter has just begun and I welcome all of it, all of the challenges,” Ryan said. “Nothing good comes without a little bit of pain. It’s just like working out — you’ve got to break muscle down to build muscle up.”
Ryan commended the support she received from other law enforcement leaders since she submitted her application to fill retiring Capitola Police Chief Andy Dally‘s role, announced in July.
“Just the genuine growth, the true growth that we’ve done together is just amazing,” Ryan said of their warm welcome from chiefs she has known — and matured with — throughout her career.
Dally, 50, will step down after a 29-year law enforcement career, with three years spent as chief, on Nov. 21. Ryan will take over then and be ceremonially sworn in at 11:30 a.m., Dec. 4, in the Capitola council chambers, an event to which she urged the public to join in for. Prior to Ryan’s announced promotion, Lt. Mary Garcia served in the interim role of UC Santa Cruz’s chief of police between December 2020 and early 2023.
Dally said Friday that he was happy to have been able to build up and promote from within, allowing space for additional officer advancement.
“I’m really excited for the department and excited to close my chapter,” Dally said. “What that does, by closing this chapter, is it opens up a lot of other opportunities and new chapters for a lot of other people, including Sarah.”
Dally added, “I think Sarah’s an absolutely wonderful candidate that really is going to put the community first and bring new insight. She’s really grounded in this community and she’s going to represent Capitola PD really well.”
Ryan graduated from the Leadership Santa Cruz County program and holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from San Jose State University and a master’s degree in law enforcement and public safety leadership from the University of San Diego. She resides with her family outside Capitola, with a son, stepson and husband at home.