Novato has selected its new Chief of Police, Jim Naugle, city officials announced.

Naugle began with the Novato Police Department in 1998 and then moved to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office in 2001, serving as a patrol deputy, sergeant, lieutenant, and then captain. Before being promoted to chief in Novato, he was second in command as the Assistant Sheriff in Sonoma County.

Naugle will be Novato’s 13th Chief of Police.

“Jim’s proven record of accomplishment and leadership with Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office makes him an excellent match for the Novato Police Department and for our community,” Novato City Manager Adam McGill said in a statement Monday. “His depth of knowledge, measured style, and commitment to transparency will help ensure we maintain the high level of public safety standards that our community has come to expect.”

“I want to reach further into the community … and ensure we’re meeting the expectations of all our community members.” Jim Naugle, incoming Novato police chief

Naugle graduated from the University of California Davis where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology and management. For three years, he served as an advisory board member for the Salvation Army and many other volunteer endeavors in Sonoma County, the city said.

“I want to reach further into the community to those who don’t think about the police department on a daily basis and ensure we’re meeting the expectations of all our community members,” said Naugle about his appointment.

Former Novato Police Chief Beth Johnson announced her resignation abruptly in May. Johnson, the first female chief for Novato, resigned for “personal reasons”, according to an announcement made by the city. She had been the city’s police chief since July 2022.

City officials said Naugle begins work on Oct. 23 with an annual salary of $212,882.

A swearing-in ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 14 at 5 p.m., said city officials, who added there is more information to follow.

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.