California Code, Government Code - GOV § 38630

(a) The police department of a city is under the control of the chief of police.

(b) In municipalities which provide for police and other emergency services through a consolidated public safety agency which includes traditional law enforcement, fire protection, and other emergency services, the chief, director, or chief executive officer of such an agency shall control the agency.  The chief, director, or chief executive officer of a consolidated public safety agency is a peace officer, and shall meet all of the same requirements imposed by law, regulation, or POST guidelines and recommendations as a chief of police, and he or she shall have all of the same rights, responsibilities, and privileges as does a chief of police.  No one who fails to meet all of the above requirements of a chief of police and peace officer shall be appointed to the position of chief, director, or chief executive officer of a consolidated municipal public safety agency.