The City of Poway announced that Captain Karla Menzies has been assigned to lead the San Diego Sheriff’s Poway Station. Menzies takes over for Captain Dave Schaller, who retired after a 30-year career with the Sheriff’s department.
Continuing Poway’s designation as the safest city in San Diego County is a top priority for Menzies:
“I am dedicated to providing the city with the best law enforcement services by building and maintaining strong working relationships with the citizens of Poway and continuing the effort to maintain low crime rates."
Menzies started with the Sheriff’s department in 2001. Early in her career she worked in the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) unit and quickly realized one of her true passions in policing was the prevention, education, and reducing the access of alcohol to minors. In 2009 she helped secure a grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to address this and continues to be a member the grant management team.
She promoted to captain in February 2022 and was assigned to the Communications Center and the Property and Evidence Division before being selected to lead the Poway Station. Management assignments as a lieutenant included the Communications Center, Narcotics and Gang Division, and sub-station commander for the Valley Center/Pauma Valley Patrol Substation.
“Captain Menzies understands the value we place on law enforcement in Poway,” said Poway City Manager Chris Hazeltine, “Her strengths and experience in community-oriented policing will be an asset to our businesses and residents.”
Menzies grew up in Idaho and moved to San Diego County when she was in the Navy. She has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration and is currently working on a master’s degree in criminal justice.