Our Staff

Lieutenant Kimber Joyce was born and raised in the Bay Area. She attended college at the University of California, Berkeley where she played collegiate level sports and graduated with honors with a degree in Psychology. After college, Kimber began her career teaching children with learning disabilities. Kimber joined the San Mateo Police Department in 2004 as a Police Officer and was promoted to Police Sergeant in 2011. During her time as an officer she worked in the Investigations Bureau as the Juvenile Detective where she worked with at risk youth and child victims. After being promoted to Sergeant, Kimber supervised the Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) which is a highly proactive team that combats gang, narcotic and vice related activity. CRU also aimed to identify high risk youth in the community to get them connected to our Youth Diversion, Prevention and PAL programs. In January 2018, Kimber was assigned to supervise the Youth Services Unit which oversees our Police Activities League (PAL), Youth Diversion, Police Explorer Program and the School Resource Officers. Kimber was promoted to Lieutenant in 2021 and continues to manage PAL and the Youth Services Unit programs.

Sergeant Tracey Unga has been a San Mateo Police Officer for over 15 years. She joined the SMPD family in 2007 as a Patrol Officer. In 2010 she was assigned as a School Resource Officer at San Mateo High School, and quickly learned she had a passion for working with youth. Tracey is actively involved in several community programs, and she continues to have a desire to serve and help develop the youth in the San Mateo Community.

Throughout her career, Tracey has volunteered and mentored countless youth over the years, and in 2012, Tracey was recognized as the PAL Officer of the Year. In 2016, Tracey was recognized for her service to our Polynesian San Mateo Youth and received the Peninsula Lions Club Regional Service Award. In December 2018, Tracey was assigned as the Executive Director of San Mateo PAL and is now able to focus on positively changing the lives of youth every day. She brings passion for youth, eagerness to change and positive mentorship to her new role, and is excited to continue to serve the youth in our community. Tracey was promoted to Sergeant in 2021 and now is focused on overseeing the School Resources Officer, the diversion program for first-time youth offenders, and the PAL police and safety programs within the Youth Services Unit.

Marie brings a strong background in nonprofit development to her role at San Mateo PAL, where she leads fundraising and stewardship efforts, along with cultivating donor relationships, and executing events that make a lasting impact.

A graduate of Aragon High School, UC Davis, and Notre Dame de Namur University (MPA), Marie previously served as Development Director for Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo. She enjoys reading, playing pickleball, and spending quality time with loved ones. Marie is passionate about creating opportunities for local youth to thrive through PAL’s educational, recreational, and enrichment programs.

Officer Allison Adle serves as San Mateo PAL’s Youth Services Officer and the department’s first-ever Therapy K9 Handler, overseeing all public schools within the City of San Mateo. She also plays a key leadership role as a Lead Explorer Advisor, helping guide and mentor future community leaders.

A U.S. Army veteran with a background in HR across federal and private sectors, Allison joined the San Mateo Police Department in 2016 and has since served on patrol, the recruitment team, peer support team, and wellness team. A graduate of Notre Dame de Namur University with a degree in Communications, Allison enjoys summers in Tahoe, cheering on her daughters at softball games, and beach adventures with her dog, Rookie.

What she values most about her role is building meaningful relationships with students and serving as a trusted mentor, creating a safe, empowering space that strengthens the bond between youth and law enforcement.

Carlos Basurto plays a hands-on role in supporting youth across San Mateo through his work as a Youth Services Officer with San Mateo PAL. He collaborates closely with local schools to lead and assist in key PAL programs, including Empowerment Through Action, the PAL Bike Club, and the Explorer Program.

A graduate of the College of San Mateo, Carlos brings a unique background from the hospitality industry and experience running a youth summer camp. He’s passionate about building strong connections with young people and the community. Outside of work, Carlos enjoys woodworking, flying drones, traveling, and cooking. What he loves most about PAL is the chance to make a positive impact through everyday interactions with the youth he serves.

Heather Murphy is a lifelong San Mateo resident with over 25 years of service to the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. From participating in local rec programs as a child to now raising her own family in the community, Heather’s passion for youth engagement runs deep.

She began her career as a part-time Recreation Leader and preschool teacher, later earning an early education certificate from Canada College. Since 2004, she’s held full-time roles including Preschool Lead Teacher, Camp and Mobile Recreation Coordinator, and now serves as Community Services Supervisor overseeing Youth Services.

Heather’s role has recently expanded to include support for San Mateo PAL, where she leads enrichment programs, field trips, and community events like Junior Giants and Family Nights. Her dedication to creating inclusive, enriching spaces for youth and families is at the heart of everything she does.

In recognition of her outstanding work, Heather was named 2025’s April Adams Recreation Staff of the Year—a testament to her impact and leadership within the San Mateo community.

Jeanine Luna has been with the San Mateo Police Department for over 20 years. She is currently the Community Relations Officer for the department and the Police Liaison to PAL. Jeanine has had an active role in PAL since 2004, volunteering, serving as a Board Member, and then eventually as staff. She has a passion for our community and puts her heart into supporting the mission of both the police department and PAL.

A proud San Mateo native, Katie Smallwood brings both personal passion and professional expertise to her role in Business Development at San Mateo PAL. A product of local schools and programs; including Bayside Middle, Aragon High, and the College of San Mateo. Katie understands firsthand the positive impact that community support and youth engagement can have.

With a background in Talent Acquisition and strategic partnerships, she now channels that experience into growing PAL’s network, building relationships with local businesses, and creating more opportunities for youth and families across the city. As a mom of two young girls, she’s especially committed to helping shape a vibrant, inclusive future for the next generation.

Gladys is a proud San Mateo PAL alum who now helps lead some of our most beloved community programs and events, including the Dia de Muertos Festival, Backpack PALooza, and Santa Brunch. She also supports cultural programming like Ballet Folklorico and provides vital outreach to community members in need.

A graduate of Bayside Middle School, Burlingame High School, and San Francisco State University, Gladys currently works as a Case Worker for San Mateo County. Outside of PAL, she is a Koshland Fellow with the San Francisco Foundation and co-runs a family business that celebrates cultural heritage through merchandise. Her favorite part of working with PAL is giving back to her community and sharing her love for culture through meaningful events and programs.