Palo Alto Police Chief Andrew Binder is out on medical leave, city officials confirmed to the Post tonight (Feb. 2).
During Binder’s absence, due to recurring back pain, Assistant Chief James Reifschneider is filling in as acting chief, according to City Manager Ed Shikada.
It’s unclear how long Binder has been out of the office, however, he was not at the grand opening of the new police headquarters at 250 Sherman Ave. on Nov. 17.
His absence had not been publicly acknowledged by council members until tonight’s council meeting when Vice Mayor Greer Stone referred to the city’s acting police chief.
Shikada said Binder is expected to return later this month.
Binder has been chief since 2022, taking over the position after then-chief Bob Jonsen retired in order to run for Santa Clara County sheriff. He’s been with the department since 2015, before that he was with San Jose police.