Napa Police Chief Jennifer Gonzales To Retire

NAPA, CA — Napa police Chief Jennifer Gonzales has announced her retirement after more than three decades of service in law enforcement.

Her last day is Wednesday.

Gonzales has served the city of Napa for the past 10 years and has been instrumental in fostering public trust and building meaningful partnerships across the community, city officials said.

Gonzales retires with more than 30 years of experience, much of which has been in leadership roles, including as a captain overseeing both the Operations and Administration divisions at the Napa Police Department. She also served as training manager and public information officer, and was the liaison to multiple interagency and community groups, including the Napa Valley Latino Leadership Coalition, Napa Opioid Safety Coalition, and the Child Abuse Prevention Council.

She was selected as police chief in July 2021 following the retirement of Napa police Chief Robert Plummer on Jan. 1, 2021.

Before joining the Napa PD, Gonzales 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," Napa City Manager Steve Potter said. "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, city officials said, Capt. Fabio Rodriguez will assume the role of acting police chief beginning Thursday.

Meanwhile, the city's Human Resources Department will lead the recruitment process for Napa's next police chief. There will be multiple opportunities for public engagement, including community forums in English and Spanish. The city also plans to gather feedback through an online community survey in English and Spanish and conduct outreach and engagement with local nonprofits, service organizations and community partners. City employees and labor organizations will also have opportunities to give their input on the priorities and qualities Napa's next police chief should have.

"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," Potter said. "We are committed to a process that is transparent, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our diverse community."

The city said additional details about the recruitment timeline and engagement opportunities will be announced soon.