Banning Appoints New Police Chief

BANNING, CA — The city of Banning announced the appointment of a new police chief on Tuesday.

A unanimous decision from the city council marks a new chapter for Lieutenant Vincent Avila, a veteran member of the department who has served the city for 18 years. Avila assumed his new role as chief of police on Wednesday.

Avila's appointment came after a rigorous internal process, the city said. Evaluations from law enforcement panels, insight from community members and feedback from the Banning Police Officer's Association went into the decision.

Avila began his career with the department in 2006. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership from California Coast University.

In recent years, Avila completed the Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training Management Course in 2018 and received the POST Management Certificate in 2019. In June of this year, he completed a 15-day Drucker Executive Leadership Institute course.