Chief Polen is a life-long resident of the City of Vacaville and graduated from Will C. Wood High School in 1994. 

Chief Polen began his career in law enforcement as a police officer with the City of Suisun City Police Department in 1998. He returned to his hometown, Vacaville, in 2000 as an officer with the City of Vacaville Police Department.

Chief Polen has worked as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, and Detective for the Investigative Services Section. In 2009, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and has worked in various specialties throughout his tenure.  He supervised the Hostage Negotiations Team, Field Training Officer Program, Special Victims Unit, Training, and Internal Affairs.  
In 2016, Chief Polen was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, where he had oversight for the Investigative Services Division, which includes the Special Victims Unit, Investigative Services Section, VICE, Gang Enforcement Team, Property and Evidence, and Criminal Intelligence. Chief Polen was promoted to Captain in January of 2022, and in January of 2025, he was selected by City Manager Aaron Busch to be the Chief of Police for the City of Vacaville.
   
Chief Polen holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice management and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from National University. He is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police and the POST Executive Leadership Program.