City of Newark Appoints New Police Chief

The City of Newark is pleased to announce the selection of Newark Police Captain Jonathan Arguello as Newark’s next police chief. Captain Arguello will succeed Chief Gina Anderson, who announced her retirement last November.

Captain Arguello has dedicated his entire professional law enforcement career to serving the Newark community. He joined the Newark Police Department in 1996 as an officer, where he served as a Field Training Officer, on the SWAT and Crisis Negotiations Teams, and represented Newark as a detective on the regional Southern Alameda County Narcotics Enforcement Team.

He was promoted to Police Sergeant in 2007, serving in that capacity until 2014. His assignments included overseeing the traffic unit, administrative support services, special enforcement team sergeant, and SWAT team leader. He was instrumental in leading the group that brought a Team Policing deployment model and the formation of the City of Newark’s first joint SWAT team with the City of Union City. He also led several projects to secure progressive equipment and technology, such as the City of Newark’s first GPS trackers, tactical robots, and rescue vehicle.

From 2014 through 2017, he served as Police Lieutenant, during which time he managed many aspects of the department’s field operations and specialty programs. He championed and supported staff’s resourcefulness and creativity in integrating civilian professional team members to expand and increase the capabilities of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Criminal Evidence Response Team programs and managed the implementation of the department’s first body-worn cameras.

In June 2017, he was appointed to Police Captain, where he has played a vital role in developing and implementing the Community Engagement Program, served as an integral planning team member facilitating the formation of the department’s action plans, and helped secure funding for the advancement of various technology initiatives, including the City’s community safety camera and Crime Analyst programs. He also leads a Strategic Policing Program, which involves integrating new technology programs with data and intelligence to address developing crime trends.

Captain Arguello holds two associate degrees from Ohlone College, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management from Union University and is working towards a Master of Business Administration from California State University East Bay and a Master of Public Safety from the University of Virginia. He is also a 2019 graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police Executives and a 2023 graduate of the FBI National Academy.

“I am humbled by the trust and confidence City leadership has placed in me by selecting me as Newark’s next Police Chief. It is an honor of the highest regard to serve our community and the department that I hold so dearly,” said Captain Arguello.

Captain Arguello is committed to the community and the professionals within the Newark Police Department. Together, he is confident that a shared vision for a safe, inclusive, and vibrant Newark can be achieved.

Newark City Manager David Benoun said, “It is clear that Captain Arguello possesses the characteristics and attributes of Newark’s ideal police chief, and we are confident that he will capably lead our department into the future.” Mr. Benoun further stated, “We are tremendously proud of his contributions to advancing law enforcement in Newark, and he has earned the trust and respect of our department and our community.”

Captain Arguello’s appointment will take effect on April 11, 2024. Until then, he is coordinating a transition plan with Chief Anderson.

For media questions, please contact Assistant to the City Manager Laurie Gebhard or Police Captain Jonathan Arguello.

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