Antioch names 3rd police chief amidst turmoil, federal oversight
Antioch set to name third acting police chief in less than 2 years
Coming on the heels of Antioch coming to an agreement with the Department of Justice to put its police department under federal oversight, city officials are set to name the 3rd acting police chief in about 1 1/2 years. The federal investigation resulted from the racist text messages from police offices and allegations of misconduct.
ANTIOCH, Calif. - Antioch has yet another acting police chief.
Capt. Joe Vigil will be the third acting chief in less than a year and a half. Vigil has had this role before, from August 2023 to February 2024.
A national search for a permanent chief is still underway and could take about five months, according to outgoing interim Police Chief Brian Addington.
Addington said that Vigil has an "unwavering commitment to constitutional policing."
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Vigil said he "looks forward" to working with the Department of Justice, which is now overseeing the Antioch Police Department, in an agreement reached last week.
The DOJ launched an investigation into the police department after the public disclosure of police officers' racist text messages.
Residents raised concerns about who will be the next acting chief and if that person has the ability to solve the department's problems.
City leaders plan to name the new acting chief on Tuesday morning, the third one since Police Chief Steven Ford retired in August 2023.
"Why have we had so many interim police chiefs? Why haven't they selected a permanent police chief?" questioned Ralph Hernandez, a former Antioch city council member.
Hernandez said he worked in law enforcement for more than three decades, including the Pittsburg and Half Moon Bay police departments.
He was also an investigator for the Contra Costa County District Attorney's office.
"We need a kick-ass type, even an interim police chief" to address Antioch's many serious problems, Hernandez said.
Under the five-year agreement with the DOJ, the police department will hire an expert law enforcement consultant.
"They do need oversight, and they do need a chief that's going to come in here. And like I said, be empathetic, transparent," said Kathryn Wade, an Antioch resident.
She said her son, 29-year-old Malad Baldwin, was the victim of police brutality by Antioch police officers on multiple occasions.
He died after an unrelated medical episode in 2021.
Wade said the DOJ interviewed her twice during its investigation into the police department.
She hopes that the new interim chief and eventually a permanent chief will listen to the community's concerns,
"This community really needs healing," she said.
KTVU spoke with both Mayor Ron Bernal and the current acting chief who's about to retire.
Both declined to answer questions, including who would be the new interim chief and when a permanent chief would be selected.
"We will implement and strengthen sound policies, training programs, community participation and oversight mechanisms to ensure officers act with integrity and justice, and that any misconduct is addressed quickly and effectively," the city said in a statement.
The new acting police chief will be sworn in on Friday.
Residents said the DOJ would be holding a community meeting on Thursday.
Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU