Name/Title
Oral History of Richard G. Brannan with Bob MorrisonEntry/Object ID
2020.028.001Scope and Content
Oral History of Richard “Rich” Brannan, who served as the third Chief of Police in Los Altos from 1978 to his retirement in 1987. Fellow member of the Los Altos Police Force and close friend Police Detective Robert “Bob” Morrison also participated in the interview.
Having grown up in Michigan, Richard arrived in the Bay Area in 1947 as a seaman in the Navy. After meeting his future wife while stationed in Moffett Field, her roots in San Jose led him to decide to settle in the Bay Area after leaving the Navy in the 1950s. In 1953, he was introduced to the Los Altos Police Department by a Los Altos officer while attending San Jose State University. This would lead to a 33 year career, during which he served as a volunteer officer, Captain, Lieutenant, Assistant Chief and finally, the Chief of Police in 1978.
As the fifth officer in the burgeoning Los Altos police force of the 1950s, Richard details the development of the police department from a small group of officers working out of a garage to the expansive operation it is today. Working closely with an architect, he helped design a separate police department building, which opened in 1968. As Chief, he increased budgets for new equipment and promoted officer participation in decision making. His other notable accomplishments include creating an efficient 911 system for the Los Altos police and fire departments, hiring the first female police officers in the department, and adding a locker room to accommodate the new female officers. He also describes notable arrests he’s made, including the arrest of anti-war activists David Harris and Johnathan Bell, which led to Richard Brannan and Bob Morrison unexpectedly appearing in the opening scene of a documentary produced by Harris and Joan Baez, released in 1970 titled “Carry It On.”
In revealing his desire to be referred to as “Rich” as opposed to “Chief” by his employees, Richard also reveals his strong sense of humility, even in the face of his long list of accomplishments as a police officer. Not only is Richard’s integral role in the development of the Los Altos Police Department clear, but so is the fondness with which he regards his time serving the community and the pride he feels towards the Los Altos police force.Collection
Oral History CollectionOral History Details
Interviewee
Richard Brannan, Bob MorrisonInterviewer
Marcia AdamsInterview Date
Aug 12, 2019