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Palo Alto Police Chief Andrew Binder is currently on medical leave, city officials confirmed on Sunday, February 2.
City Manager Ed Shikada said Binder is away from duty due to recurring back pain. In his absence, Assistant Police Chief James Reifschneider has been appointed as Acting Police Chief.
Officials did not specify when Binder began his leave. However, he was notably absent from the grand opening of the new Palo Alto Police Headquarters at 250 Sherman Avenue on November 17.
Binder’s absence was publicly acknowledged for the first time during Monday night’s City Council meeting, when Vice Mayor Greer Stone referenced the city’s acting police chief.
According to Shikada, Binder is expected to return to work later this month.
Binder has served as Palo Alto’s police chief since 2022, succeeding Bob Jonsen, who retired to pursue a bid for Santa Clara County Sheriff. Binder joined the Palo Alto Police Department in 2015 and previously served with the San Jose Police Department.
