Derek Rush has been with the Santa Clara Police Department since 1995. He began as a Reserve Police Officer and was hired full time in 1997. During his time as an officer he was on the Special Enforcement Team, worked as an Undercover Narcotics Detective, a Field Training Officer, Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructor and Citizens Police Academy Instructor. Derek spent over a decade of his early career dedicated to the Special Response Team as an operator and Team Leader.

Derek was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2009. Derek was initially assigned to the Field Operations Division where he was a patrol supervisor working days, swings and midnight shifts. Derek was then selected as the Special Operations Sergeant where he led the Special Response Team and Canine Unit. He was then selected as the Training Manager in the Services Division. While in the Services Division, Derek managed all department wide training and was the back-up Press Information Officer. In 2014 Derek was selected to the Investigations Division as the Supervising Robbery and Homicide Detective.

Derek was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2016. Derek served as a Patrol Division Watch Commander and the Lieutenant responsible for the Special Response Team and Traffic Unit. Derek was then selected to join the Special Operations Division in 2018. In the Special Operations Division, he and his team were responsible for all major events held within the City as well as Levi’s Stadium. Derek was the Incident Commander for many large-scale events including the 2019 College Football Playoff Game held in Santa Clara.

Derek possesses his Bachelor of Science degree and he is a recent graduate of the FBI National Academy (Class 272) in Quantico Virginia. Derek has been the recipient of several distinguished awards and is the inventor of two Law Enforcement related patents held at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Derek attributes his success to his co-workers and the unquestionable support from his wife and kids.

In 2019, Derek was promoted to Division Commander of the Special Operations Division. In 2020, he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police.