Millbrae Police Chief Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Commute from Idaho, Use of Station as Residence
MILLBRAE, CA – October 26, 2025 – The police chief of Millbrae, California is under examination following reports he commutes from Idaho and allegedly sleeps at the police station while on duty. The allegations, first reported by KGO-TV, have sparked outrage from local officials and calls for an autonomous review of the department’s practices and use of taxpayer funds.
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors president David Canepa is demanding a full investigation into the matter. “If someone is living out of the county or out of state,they have to pay for their own lodging,meaning San Mateo County is not a holiday Inn,” Canepa stated. ”We need to see was someone living in there permanently? These are taxpayer dollars and so we need to make sure that what’s taking place in those facilities really is for the good of the taxpayer.That means people aren’t living there.”
The report details findings from a fire inspector who was reportedly unable to access one of the station’s living quarters due to it being locked with an “in use” sign.
chief Allen has so far declined to address questions regarding whether he resides in Idaho, according to KGO.
The investigation extends beyond the police chief, revealing that six sergeants with the San Mateo County Sheriff, which contracts police services to Millbrae, also live outside of California – in Idaho, Nevada, Texas, and Tennessee. Two of these sergeants are assigned to the bomb squad, a unit expected to respond to threats within an hour. These sergeants earned nearly $600,000 each in pay and benefits last year.
Millbrae Mayor Anders Fung expressed shock at the reports, calling the photos of the alleged living arrangements “highly alarming.” “Obviously our chief needs to be highly responsive to any emergency or situation,” Fung said. “What’s more concerning for me at this time is the use of our police station as a living quarters and where the funding is coming from.”
Canepa plans to formally request an investigation from Undersheriff Dan Perea on Monday, according to The Mercury News. The allegations have prompted concerns about the chief’s responsiveness and the appropriate use of public resources. Millbrae city officials plan to discuss the matter with the city council and supervisors to determine a course of action.
