King City Announces New Police Chief

KING CITY, Calif. (KION) - King City's current police chief, James Hunt, is set to retire on June 26th, and the city's pick for his replacement is a familiar face for long-time residents.

Robert Masterson is being tapped as the next Chief of Police for the City of King, and it isn't his first tenure. Masterson previously served as the city's police chief between 2016 and 2020 before joining Atascadero Police as their Chief for two years. He returned to King City Police in 2023 as Police Captain and is now being promoted back to his prior office.

The city says Masterson's first tenure helped to rebuild the department's staffing and public trust while achieving major improvements in public safety and crime prevention.

In response to the hire, Masterson says, "I am honored to once again serve as the Chief of Police for King City. During my time away, I have gained valuable experience and a broader perspective, which I now bring back to the department. I look forward to leading our team, reconnecting with the community, and building upon the strong foundation that has already been established within the City and Police Department."

Masterson will take over the department starting on June 27th.