08/25/2026
City of Lincoln Announces Retirement of Police Chief Matt Alves
The City of Lincoln announces the upcoming retirement of Police Chief Matt Alves, concluding a distinguished career in law enforcement and more than three decades of public service to the Lincoln community.
Alves’ roots in Lincoln date back to 1981, when his family moved to the community. He attended Glen Edwards Middle School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1994. He met his wife, Denise, while attending elementary school in Lincoln. The two married in 1996, raised six children in the community, and are now proud grandparents.
Alves began his public safety career in 1994 as a volunteer firefighter with Placer County Fire Department Station 75 and earned his paramedic license in 1998. In 1999, he joined the Lincoln Police Department as a dispatcher before becoming a Police Officer Trainee in 2001, when the department sponsored his attendance at the Yuba College basic police academy.
Alves served in nearly every capacity within the Lincoln Police Department, rising
through the ranks before being appointed Public Safety Chief in June 2021, overseeing both Police and Fire. When the City returned to separate department leadership in 2023, Alves continued serving as Chief of Police.
Throughout his career, Chief Alves has been known for his steady leadership,
professionalism and commitment to public service.
“Chief Alves and I have worked very closely together for more than four and a half
years,” said City Manager Sean Scully. “His focus has consistently been on what is best for the Police Department, his staff, the City of Lincoln and, most importantly, our residents. Lincoln is undeniably a better place to live because of Chief Alves’ service. While we will miss his daily presence at the City of Lincoln, we choose instead to focus on being grateful of his service and wish him the best retirement has to offer.”
Chief Alves’ retirement will be effective September 17, 2026. The City will announce the Police Department’s leadership transition at a later date.
