Napa, CA — The City of Napa has officially launched the search for a new police chief after the recent retirement of Chief Jennifer Gonzales. In an effort to ensure that the hiring process reflects the priorities of the local community, city officials are inviting residents to participate in several upcoming outreach opportunities.
The city has scheduled two public forums for residents to provide feedback and share their views on what qualities and experience they would like to see in the next police chief. The first forum will take place on Monday, April 23, at 6 p.m. at Napa’s City Hall, located at 955 School Street. The second forum is set for Tuesday, April 24, at 6 p.m. and will be held virtually via Zoom. Both forums are open to the public and are intended to give community members a direct voice in the selection process.
Additionally, Napa residents are encouraged to take part in an online survey, available in both English and Spanish, to further express their opinions on the direction of the police department and the leadership qualities they deem important in the new chief.
“We value the perspectives of our residents and want to ensure the recruitment process reflects their input,” said city officials in a statement. “This is an important decision, and we want to make sure we select a leader who embodies the values and vision of the Napa community.”
The city has indicated that further details will be shared as the recruitment process progresses. In the meantime, they continue to gather feedback from residents to inform their selection of a new police chief.
With Chief Gonzales retiring after a distinguished career with the Napa Police Department, the city is looking to build on the legacy of effective leadership while ensuring the department remains responsive to the needs of the community.