Deb Linden
Chief of Police (Retired), San Luis Obispo Police Department
& Course Facilitator and Instructor
Deborah Linden is a native Californian, raised in Sunnyvale. She began her law enforcement career with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff at the age of 22. During her 18-year tenure at the Sheriff’s Department, Deb served in a variety of assignments including patrol, narcotics detective, major crimes investigations, sergeant, lieutenant, and commander. She was hired by the City of San Luis Obispo as Chief of Police on January 1, 2003 and retired from law enforcement in December 2011 after serving nine years as police chief. Deb is now an instructor and training coordinator for various organizations, including the California Police Chiefs Association and the Centre for Organization Effectiveness.
Deb holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from U.C. Santa Barbara and a Master of Arts degree in Leadership from St. Mary’s College in Moraga. She is involved in several non-profit organizations, including Rotary, Transitions Mental Health Association, and the Davenport Institute. She is married with two adult stepsons who live in California.