Captain Matt Martell started his law enforcement career right after high school when he joined the US Army and served for three years as a military policeman and MP investigator. In 1988, he was hired by the Antioch Police Department and attended the Los Medanos Police Academy.

In 1990, Captain Martell joined the Foster City Police Department and quickly became an active member of the FCPD family. As an officer he served in patrol, detectives and as a field evidence technician. He was also an active member of the FCPOA and served several terms on their board of directors.

In 1995, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and served as a patrol team leader and watch commander until 1999 when he volunteered to serve as an American police officer in the United Nations mission to Kosovo. While working for the UN, he received valuable international and multicultural experience working with police officers from 35 different countries. In 2000, he returned to his role as a sergeant with the Foster City Police Department and was assigned to supervise the detective bureau.

In 2002, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and once again served for periods of time in both the patrol and administrative divisions. As a lieutenant, he was instrumental in developing new procedures and technologies, which helped the Department become more efficient and provide a higher level of service to the citizens of Foster City.

On December 29th, 2004, he was promoted to the rank of Captain. Over the past 6 years, Captain Martell has served as the Commander of both the Administrative Services Division and the Patrol Division. He is currently assigned to Patrol Services and is responsible for all Department Field Operations.

Matt is a resident of Foster City. He is active in the community and serves on the leadership counsel for the San Mateo County Red Cross. He is a member of several professional organizations and is a past commodore of the Coyote Point Yacht Club. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco and a Masters Degree from California State University at Long Beach. Matt is also a graduate of both the POST Supervisory Leadership Institute and the West Point Leadership Program.

Captain Martell can be reached at 650-286-3300, or by email at mmartell@fostercity.org