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Welcome to the City of Rancho Cordova's news page. Read current and archived news, and access media contacts and press announcements.

RANCHO CORDOVA APPOINTS SHAUN HAMPTON AS CHIEF OF POLICE

Current Chief Matt Tamayo to Retire in March

Post Date:02/10/2026

The City of Rancho Cordova is pleased to announce the appointment of Shaun Hampton as the new Rancho Cordova Chief of Police, effective March 2026.

Hampton, a Sheriff’s Captain with over 25 years of law enforcement experience with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, fills the role to be vacated by current Chief of Police Matthew Tamayo, who will retire in March 2026.

Hampton is a seasoned law enforcement veteran whose career spans the full range of policing functions, including Corrections, Patrol, Special Enforcement Detail (SWAT), Canine Operations, investigations, patrol supervision, academy instruction, community policing assignments, and public information, as the Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson. In addition, he has held positions in the Rancho Cordova Police Department as both a Patrol Sergeant and Patrol Lieutenant, giving him firsthand knowledge of the department and the community he will be serving.

“The City of Rancho Cordova is pleased to welcome Shaun Hampton as our new Chief of Police,” said City Manager Micah Runner. “His previous experience at RCPD, extensive law enforcement background, and commitment to the City of Rancho Cordova make him an outstanding choice to serve our community.”

Hampton’s decades of law enforcement service is grounded in professionalism, accountability, operational excellence, and fairness, with a strong emphasis on community partnerships. He is a committed advocate for training and professional development and served as an instructor in firearms, patrol tactics, advanced officer training, as well as a mentor to other law enforcement professionals. Hampton earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management from Union Institute and University.

“I am honored to once again be serving the Rancho Cordova community and to continue fostering community relationships and partnerships to keep all residents safe,” said Chief Hampton.

In addition to serving as Rancho Cordova’s Chief of Police, Hampton will also serve as Commander of the Sheriff’s Office East Division out of the Kilgore Police Station.

The city will host opportunities in the near future for the community to meet Chief Hampton. Sign up to receive regular updates at cityofranchocordova.org/enews and follow the city and Rancho Cordova Police Department on social media.

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Press Announcements

Media Contacts

Maria Chacon Kniestedt
Communications & Public Affairs Director
916.851.8791
916.200.6181 (cell)
mkniestedt@cityofranchocordova.org

Samantha Mott
Senior Communications Officer
916.851.8796
916.579.0671 (Cell)
smott@cityofranchocordova.org

Danielle Hale
Communications Officer
916.851.8792
916.809.0465 (cell)
dhale@cityofranchocordova.org

Lauren Burke
Communications Officer
916.851.8723
916.247.2587 (Cell)
lburke@cityofranchocordova.org

City of Rancho Cordova Opens $8.4M Youth Center

On November 3, 2022, the City of Rancho Cordova opened the Rancho Cordova Youth Center, the first youth center in the community. The Youth Center will provide a welcoming, central and safe environment for year-round youth programs, build relationships with local youth, and show local youth how much the community cares about their success and future in Rancho Cordova.

City of Rancho Cordova Breaks Ground on Citywide, Ultra-High-Speed Gigabit Broadband Network

On February 28, 2022, the City of Rancho Cordova, SiFi Networks and GigabitNow announced the launch of Rancho Cordova FiberCity®, a revolutionary infrastructure project to bring a fast, affordable, and reliable all-fiber internet network to every home, business, and institution in Rancho Cordova.

For more information, please contact Danielle Hale at 916.809.0465 or dhale@cityofranchocordova.org.

Mather Veterans Village Dedication Event

On October 12, 2021, Mercy Housing California, Nation’s Finest, the City of Rancho Cordova and the County of Sacramento celebrated the completion of all three phases of Mather Veterans Village, the first permanent supportive housing development for homeless and disabled veterans in the Sacramento region.

These documents are password protected. Please contact Danielle Hale at 916.809.0465 for access.

Crime Drops in Rancho Cordova by 61%

The City of Rancho Cordova is proud to announce that violent crime and property crime combined has decreased by 61% from 2004-2019 when adjusted for population. Since the city incorporated and established the Rancho Cordova Police Department 18 years ago, the city has implemented creative and proactive policing programs that have led to this significant drop.

Media Advisory about Crime Drop in Rancho Cordova
Fact Sheet on Programs
Speaker Bios from Crime Drop Announcement
B-Roll, Photos and Crime Statistics (This is password protected. Please contact Ashley Downton at 916.542.3875 for access.)
News Release: Crime Drops in Rancho Cordova by 61%

Rancho Cordova Breaks Ground on Rio Del Oro Development

Elliott Homes, Inc. and the City of Rancho Cordova are breaking ground on Rio Del Oro, the largest development in the city’s history. Rio Del Oro spans 3,800 acres in Rancho Cordova and could fit Downtown Sacramento in its footprint. The development will feature thousands of new homes, over 7.6 million square feet of commercial, professional and industrial space, one of the largest parks in the region at 130 acres, and the city’s next high school.

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