Napa Police Chief Jennifer Gonzales Announces Retirement

After more than three decades of service in law enforcement, Napa Police Chief Jennifer Gonzales has announced her retirement, and April 16, 2025 will be her last day in the office. A seasoned law enforcement professional and respected leader, Chief Gonzales has served the City of Napa with distinction for the past ten years and has been instrumental in fostering public trust and building meaningful partnerships across the community.

Chief Gonzales retires with more than 30 years of experience, bringing with her a remarkable legacy of service and achievement. She holds a Master of Arts in Behavioral Science with a focus on Negotiation and Conflict Management from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies with a minor in Health Science from California State University, Chico. She is also a graduate of numerous leadership programs, including the FBI National Academy (271st class), the Executive Leadership Institute at the Drucker School of Management, POST Command College (52nd class), and the POST Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (245th class).

Throughout her career, Chief Gonzales has held a wide range of leadership roles, including her time as a Captain overseeing both the Operations and Administration Divisions at Napa Police Department. She served as Training Manager, Public Information Officer, and liaison to multiple interagency and community groups, including the Napa Valley Latino Leadership Coalition, Napa Opioid Safety Coalition, and the Child Abuse Prevention Council. Prior to joining the Napa PD, she served with the City of Chico, where she gained critical experience in Patrol, Detectives, Internal Affairs, and Youth Services, and held leadership roles in SWAT, Hostage Negotiation, and Critical Incident Stress Management.

"Chief Gonzales has committed her time and talents to ensuring our community and staff are safe and that the Police Department remains a trusted partner," said Napa City Manager Steve Potter. "She leaves behind a legacy of service and professionalism, and we are deeply grateful for her many contributions to Napa."

To ensure a smooth transition, Captain Fabio Rodriguez will assume the role of Acting Police Chief beginning April 17, 2025, as the City launches its recruitment process for a permanent replacement.

The City is committed to an inclusive, community-driven approach in selecting Napa's next Police Chief. Led by the Human Resources Department, the recruitment process will feature a variety of opportunities for public engagement, including:

• Community forums (offered both in-person and online) in English and Spanish
• An online community survey in English and Spanish to gather feedback on priorities and desired qualities in the next Chief
• Outreach and engagement with local non-profits, service organizations, and community partners
• Input opportunities for City employees and labor organizations

"Our next Police Chief must not only be a skilled law enforcement professional but also someone who truly reflects the values of our City-Integrity, Inclusion, Service, and Collaboration," added Potter. "We are committed to a process that is transparent, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our diverse community."

Additional details about the recruitment timeline and engagement opportunities will be announced soon.