Retiring Vallejo Police Chief Takes A Position In Pleasant Hill

by Bay City News

Vallejo police Chief Robert Nichelini is retiring at the end of the month to become an attorney with a Pleasant Hill law firm.

Nichelini, 69, announced his retirement today. He has accepted employment at Rains Lucia Stern PC, which represents police officers in disciplinary, criminal, civil and labor matters.

Nichelini began his law enforcement career in 1971 with the Oakland Police Department and achieved the rank of deputy chief of police.

He joined the Vallejo Police Department in January 1995. He was Vallejo's acting fire chief between April 1998 and September 1999 and interim city manager in 2005-2006.

He is a retired U.S. Air Force reserve colonel.

Nichelini said he was asked by the city manager and City Council to improve labor relations, reduce crime, especially violent crime, and create a program to hire local residents as police officers when he came to Vallejo 17 years ago.

"Working closely with the Vallejo Police Officers Association, we were able to quickly reduce grievances and complaints, improve morale and enhance training and career development opportunities," Nichelini said.

"Upgraded prevention and enforcement programs cut violent crime every year. The Police Cadet Program made it possible for Vallejo youth to obtain a four-year-college degree and serve their community as members of the Vallejo Police Department," Nichelini said.

"It truly has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with such a dedicated group of law enforcement professionals," Nichelini said.