A Bay Area police chief is facing questions about whether he has been commuting to work from another state while leading his department in California.

According to a report from ABC7 News in San Francisco, Millbrae Police Chief Eamonn Allen is the subject of a complaint alleging that he maintains a residence in Idaho and travels there regularly, despite holding his position in San Mateo County. Records obtained by ABC7 reportedly show Allen purchased a home near Boise in mid-2024.

By car, the distance from Millbrae to Boise is 651 miles.

The station also reported that city building officials discovered two makeshift bedrooms inside the Millbrae Police Department facility. Inspectors said the sleeping areas lacked required fire safety measures and were not approved for overnight use.

Supervisors Ask for Review

County supervisors have called for a review of the matter, raising questions about the chief’s accessibility and potential misuse of public resources.

As of this week, Allen has not issued a public statement in response to the allegations. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, which provides law-enforcement services for Millbrae under contract, has not commented on whether an investigation is underway.

The case highlights a broader conversation about transparency and accountability in public-safety leadership — particularly when officials are compensated by taxpayers but may not reside in the communities they serve.