Assistant Chief of Police

Investigative Bureau
Ken Pearce

Chief Ken Pearce began his law enforcement career with the Salt Lake City Police Department in 1978. Over the past 28 years, he has worked in many assignments and divisions.

Like all Salt Lake City Police officers, he began his career in a uniformed patrol assignment. As an officer, he served as a Narcotics detective, a Solo Motor officer, a Vice detective and a Narcotics K-9 handler for the Metro Narcotics Task Force.

Ken was promoted to Sergeant in 1991and supervised many assignments to include; Patrol, SWAT, the Solo Motor Squad and the Training Unit. In 1996, Ken was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant he served as the Pioneer Patrol Assistant Commander and the Detective Division’s Assistant Commander.

Upon his promotion to Captain in 2000, Ken’s first assignment was the Salt Lake City Police Department’s 2002 Winter Olympic Planning Commander. After the Olympics he served as the Support Services Commander responsible for the Training Unit and Internal Affairs Unit. His last assignment as a Captain was in the Special Investigations Division responsible for the Traffic Unit, Vice Unit, City Gang Squad, SWAT and the Narcotics Unit.

Ken was promoted to Assistant Chief in 2005. He is currently assigned to the Investigations Bureau. As Assistant Chief over the Investigations Bureau of the Department, Chief Pearce is responsible for the Detective Division and the Internal Affairs Division.

He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, class 197. He has participated in the annual Special Olympics Jet Pull event and Torch Run. An avid runner, he also participates in the Baker to Vegas Challenge Race and has participated in the St. George Marathon.