Phan Ngo
Chief
Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety
Sunnyvale, CA USA
“It’s not a destination, it’s a journey. If you’re curious and you want to continue to learn and grow, then you’re going to be successful at whatever you want to do.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationPhan Ngo
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
I was born in Vietnam and fled with my family to the United States when I was eight years old.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from San Jose State University.
While in college, I was taken aback by the reasons my peers thought Vietnamese-Americans wouldn’t make good police officers.
I took that as a challenge and applied to the San Jose Police Department.
I then built a 26-year career with the police department, starting as a police officer and working my way up to deputy chief of police.
I now work as the director of public safety for the Sunnyvale Department of public safety, where I oversee our officers performing police, fire, and emergency medical services.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
Criminal Justice Administration
San Jose State University
Criminal Justice Administration
San Jose State University
Certification/License
Leadership and Character in Uncertain Times
Harvard Kennedy School
Leadership and Character in Uncertain Times
Harvard Kennedy School
Certification/License
Negotiation Strategies: Building Agreement Across Boundaries Program
Harvard Kennedy School
Negotiation Strategies: Building Agreement Across Boundaries Program
Harvard Kennedy School
Career
Chief
I lead one of the oldest fully integrated police, fire, and emergency medical services in the United States.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Government
Law
Helping People
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Talk to people in the field you're interested in. Exploration is key to figuring out what your true passions are. Don't be afraid to fail. It's part of the exploration process.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Peers:
"Vietnamese-Americans don't communicate well and don't have good command presence, so they don't become police officers."
